World Federation Research Articles

Full process of recommendation formulation for clinical practice guidelines: Taking World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Allergic Rhinitis as an example: 临床实践指南推荐意见形成全流程实例:以世界针灸学会联合会《针灸临床实践指南:过敏性鼻炎》为例

The formulation of recommendations is a crucial step in the development of clinical practice guidelines, which requires tools provided by the GRADE methodology. These tools include the evidence quality assessment tool, the evidence summary tool, and the evidence-to-decision (EtD) framework. Although there is a methodologically guided standard pathway for formulating recommendations in clinical practice guidelines, it remains unclear how to translate this theoretical pathway into the practical process for formulating recommendations and what the specific steps in this process entail. Therefore, this paper takes the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies Clinical Practice Guidelines on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Allergic Rhinitis as an example to detail the full process of formulating recommendations and summaries it into a three-step method. Step one: Collect original materials from different sources to create EtD table. Step two: Distribute and collect EtD table, and preliminarily gather the recommendation voting results. Step three: Organize “salami-slicing pattern” guideline development group consensus meeting to formulate recommendations. The three-step method for formulating recommendations in clinical practice guidelines fully utilizes the GRADE EtD table to provide guideline development group with decision-making foundation and reference from multiple dimensions, including the importance of clinical questions, balance of benefits and harms, quality of evidence, resource required, values and preferences, health equity, acceptability, and feasibility. This approach enhances the scientific and practical nature of guideline recommendations. This paper provides a standard operating procedure to formulate recommendations for the incoming clinical practice guidelines, which aims to establish a standard pathway for the formulation of acupuncture clinical practice guideline recommendations.

World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Cupping: 世界针灸学会联合会标准《针灸技术操作规范:拔罐》

World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Cupping, developed under the leadership of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was approved by WFAS. This technical benchmark was issued on October 9, 2023, and implemented on December 31, 2023. The main contents include the scope, normative references, terms and definitions, procedures and rules, and safety. This article focuses on the above contents, an outlook on the application, popularization, and update plan of this technical benchmark is proposed.

Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Adult Major Depressive Disorder (Mild-Moderate Degree): Determination of clinical questions: 《针灸临床实践指南: 成人轻中度抑郁症》: 临床问题的确定

Determining clinical questions is fundamental to the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), which bridges the initial phases and the final recommendations. It is essential for evidence retrieval and the formulation of recommendations. The scientific rigor and precision in determination of clinical questions directly influence the future implementation and applicability of guidelines. In 2020, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies initiated the project of clinical practice guideline on acupuncture and moxibustion for adult major depressive disorder (mild-moderate degree) to address clinical and medical decision-making issues in acupuncture treatment for adult mild to moderate major depressive disorder. This CPG provides systematic recommendations based on clinical evidence, patient values, and other factors, aiding decision-makers, clinicians, and patients in selecting appropriate interventions. This paper discusses and analyzes the determination process of clinical questions, and the related issues during the development of this guideline, aiming to provide a reference for determining clinical questions and developing CPGs in the field of acupuncture and exploring more scientific tools and methods for determining clinical questions in future CPGs.

Sofia Ionescu: Pioneering the Birth of Neurosurgery in Romania and Becoming the First Female Neurosurgeon in the World

Sofia Ionescu (1920-2008) was the first female neurosurgeon in the world, pioneering her field with skill, dedication, and humility. Born in Romania, she began her career amidst the tumult of World War II, performing her first neurosurgical procedure in 1944. Despite initial skepticism, her talent and commitment earned her recognition, culminating in her acknowledgment as the first female neurosurgeon by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies in 2005. Throughout her illustrious career, she mentored colleagues, contributed to scientific literature, and innovated surgical techniques, all while maintaining a compassionate and composed demeanor. Her legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration for neurosurgeons worldwide, reminding them of the importance of diligence, empathy, and unwavering dedication to patient care. Even in retirement, her influence endures, as she continues to be revered for her remarkable contributions to the field of neurosurgery.

Analysis of the international competitiveness of domestic metallurgical enterprises

Introduction. The relevance of the research topic is determined by the globalization trends of economic development, the growing competitive activity of enterprises, the increase in competitive tension in world markets, the formation of specific forms of competition. The purpose of the paper is to determine and structure the factors of international competitiveness of domestic metallurgical enterprises at the mega-, macro-, meso- and micro-levels, to identify the most priority positions for winning and maintaining the market. Results. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of metal products production during 2021-2023, the current state of operation of the largest metallurgical enterprises, the dynamics of foreign investments in the metallurgical industry of Ukraine, the main reasons for the deterioration of the competitive positions of the domestic MMC on the international market of metal products are determined. The negative and positive factors that determine the international competitiveness of MMC of Ukraine at the mega-, macro-, meso- and micro-levels are analyzed. The result of the analysis is the conclusion regarding the absolute predominance of the influence of external factors in the conditions of full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation, the significant dependence of the development of MMC of Ukraine on the state of world markets. And vice versa, domestic metallurgy has an inverse effect on the global production of metal products, because it has significant resource, production and scientific potential. Considering the specifics of metallurgical enterprises, the state of the world economy and globalization processes, the factors of competitiveness of metallurgical enterprises are structured according to the degree of susceptibility to changes in the conditions of globalization (flexible, difficult to change) and according to the degree of influence on the level of global competitiveness (moderate influence, significant impact). Conclusions. The analysis of the factors of international competitiveness of the domestic metallurgy showed that in the conditions of its sharp decline, the priority for the industry is not to lose its own competitive advantages, including through the search and effective use of positive factors of international competitiveness. At the same time, the basis of increasing the international competitiveness of the metallurgical industry is to increase the competitiveness of domestic metallurgical enterprises both on the domestic and international markets. It has been proven that when developing a strategy for increasing international competitiveness, it is appropriate to determine the result of focusing on the factors of a more intensive manifestation of the classification feature, that is, on flexible factors of significant influence.

Athlete Identity, Resilience, Satisfaction with Life and Well-Being of Para Badminton Players: A Multinational Survey.

To explore regional differences (i.e. Europe, Asia and others) in the well-being of para-athletes and its potential psychosocial determinants, including the Athletic Identity Measure Scale (AIMS), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The study was a cross-sectional survey using data from multinational badminton federations. The study participants were athletes registered in the Para Badminton Classification Master List of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The main study outcome is the WHO Quality of Life-Disability Questionnaire (WHOQOL-DIS). There were 1,385 (aged 36 years old, IQR 18 years old) registrants on the master list. Respondents totaled 170. Only 137 (65% were males) were included in the analysis after excluding those with missing data (Europe 40%, Asia 30%, others 30%). Following the results of factor analysis, the original Athletic Identity Measure Scale (AIMS) was separated into self-identity (SI) and AIMS-modified. SI, AIMS-modified, the BRS and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were all scored above average. The AIMS-modified scores of Europeans were significantly lower than those of other non-Asians (U = 757.000, P < 0.05). BRS was statistically higher among those with acquired disabilities (median: 3.33) compared to those with congenital disabilities (median: 3.0) (U = 1,717.000, Z = -2.711, P < 0.05) and among Europeans (median: 3.3) compared to Asians (median: 3.0) (U = 704.500, P < 0.05). The regression model explained 32% of the variability in quality of life (QOL) with five significant predictors. The SWLS (β = 0.307, P = 0.01), BRS (β = 0.269, P = 0.01), full-time employment (β = 0.191, P = 0.05) and being female (β = 0.162, P = 0.05) all had a positive effect on QOL, but not the AIMS (-0.228, P = 0.05). The results show that the athletes' resilience, satisfaction with life and identity vary across regions. Furthermore, satisfaction with life, employment and gender were found to be significant predictors of athletes' QOL.

Ultra-Early and Short-Term Tranexamic Acid Treatment in Patients With Good- and Poor-Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

The results of the ULTRA trial showed that ultra-early and short-term treatment with tranexamic acid (TXA) does not improve clinical outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Possibly, the lack of a beneficial effect in all patients with aSAH is masked by antagonistic effects of TXA in certain subgroups. In this post hoc subgroup analysis, we investigated the effect of TXA on clinical outcome in patients with good-grade and poor-grade aSAH. The ULTRA trial was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label trial with blinded outcome assessment. Participants received ultra-early and short-term TXA in addition to usual care or usual care only. This post hoc subgroup analysis included only ULTRA participants with confirmed aSAH and available World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade on admission. Patients were categorized into those with good-grade (WFNS 1-3) and poor-grade (WFNS 4-5) aSAH. The primary outcome was clinical outcome assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% CIs were calculated using ordinal regression analyses. Analyses were performed using the as-treated principle. In all patients with aSAH, no significant effect modification of TXA on clinical outcome was observed for admission WFNS grade (p = 0.10). Of the 812 ULTRA participants, 473 patients had (58%; N = 232 TXA, N = 241 usual care) good-grade and 339 (42%; N = 162 TXA, N = 176 usual care) patients had poor-grade aSAH. In patients with good-grade aSAH, the TXA group had worse clinical outcomes (OR: 0.67, 95% CI 0.48-0.94, aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.94) compared with the usual care group. In patients with poor-grade aSAH, clinical outcomes were comparable between treatment groups (OR: 1.04, 95% CI 0.70-1.55, aOR 1.05, 95% CI 0.70-1.56). This post hoc subgroup analysis provides another important argument against the use of TXA treatment in patients with aSAH, by showing worse clinical outcomes in patients with good-grade aSAH treated with TXA and no clinical benefit of TXA in patients with poor-grade aSAH, compared with patients treated with usual care. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02684812; submission date February 18, 2016, first patient enrollment on July 24, 2013). This study provides Class II evidence that tranexamic acid, given for <24 hours within the first 24 hours, does not improve the 6-month outcome in good-grade or poor initial-grade aneurysmal SAH.

Who on Earth Wants a World Government, What Kind, and Why? An International Survey Experiment

Abstract Amidst multiple transnational crises, global governance has retaken center stage in academic and public debates. While previous generations of thinkers and citizens vigorously discussed the perennial idea of a world government, such proposals are nowadays often discarded quickly among scholars and practitioners. However, we know little about citizens’ present-day attitudes toward world government proposals. In a survey experiment on more than 42,000 citizens in 17 countries in the global South, North, East, and West, we find that the idea is only rejected by international majorities if it remains unspecified and if we weight countries equally. Specifications as democratic and/or focused on global issues like climate change significantly increase public support and lead overwhelming majorities worldwide to favor a global government. Support is even stronger in more populous, less free, less powerful, and/or less developed countries. The only exception is the United States, where no global government specification receives majoritarian public approval. Overall, our findings show significant international support for fundamental transformations of global governance, and thus indicate to activists and policymakers that relevant reform efforts can build on widespread public endorsement. En medio de múltiples crisis transnacionales, la gobernanza global ha vuelto a ocupar un lugar importante en los debates, tanto académicos como públicos. Si bien las generaciones anteriores de pensadores y ciudadanos debatieron firmemente la idea perenne de un gobierno mundial, hoy en día los académicos y los profesionales descartan, con frecuencia, rápidamente tales propuestas. Sin embargo, tenemos poca información referente a las actitudes de los ciudadanos hacia las propuestas de un gobierno mundial. Llevamos a cabo un experimento de encuesta con más de 42.000 ciudadanos en 17 países del Sur, Norte, Este y Occidente global, y concluimos que la idea solo es rechazada por las mayorías internacionales si esta idea no es concreta (y solo cuando se ponderan los países por igual). El hecho de incluir especificaciones como la democracia y/o centrarse en temas globales como el cambio climático aumentan significativamente el apoyo público y llevan a mayorías abrumadoras en todo el mundo a favor de un gobierno mundial. Por lo general, el apoyo es más fuerte en los países más poblados, menos libres, menos poderosos y/o menos desarrollados. La única excepción es Estados Unidos, donde ninguna de estas especificaciones gubernamentales globales recibe una aprobación pública mayoritaria. En general, nuestras conclusiones muestran un importante apoyo público internacional a las transformaciones fundamentales de la gobernanza mundial y, por lo tanto, indican a los activistas y a los responsables políticos que los esfuerzos de reforma pertinentes pueden partir de un amplio respaldo público. Face aux nombreuses crises transnationales, la gouvernance mondiale revient sur le devant de la scène dans les débats académiques et publics. Alors que les générations antérieures de penseurs et de citoyens débattaient vivement de l’idée toujours d'actualité de gouvernement mondial, de telles propositions sont de nos jours souvent rapidement rejetées par les chercheurs et les professionnels. Cependant, nous en savons peu sur l'attitude des citoyens par rapport aux propositions de gouvernement mondial. Dans une expérience de sondage sur plus de 42 000 citoyens de 17 pays du Sud, du Nord, de l'Est et de l'Ouest, nous constatons que l'idée n'est rejetée par les majorités internationales que si elle reste vague (et seulement si l'on considère les pays à parts égales). Lorsque l'on précise l'idée en qualifiant ce gouvernement mondial de démocratique et/ou de centré sur des problématiques mondiales comme le changement climatique, le soutien public augmente drastiquement et des majorités écrasantes dans le monde entier en viennent à soutenir un gouvernement mondial. Généralement, le soutien est supérieur chez les pays plus peuplés, moins libres, moins puissants et/ou moins développés. La seule exception reste les États-Unis: aucune précision concernant le gouvernement mondial ne reçoit d'approbation d'une majorité du public. Dans l'ensemble, nos résultats montrent qu'il existe un soutien international important du public vis-à-vis de transformations fondamentales de la gouvernance mondiale, et donc signalent aux militants et aux décideurs qu'ils peuvent s'appuyer sur un large soutien populaire pour promouvoir des réformes pertinentes.

Resilience After High-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Prospective Cohort Study on Quality of Life.

Treatment of patients who present with poor clinical condition is often postponed until neurological improvement is observed. Despite previous studies, it is still unclear how survivors perceive their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate self-perceived QoL in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who present with poor clinical condition, as defined by World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grades 4 to 5, compared with those who present in more favorable clinical condition (WFNS 1-3). Between 2011 and 2021, 1160 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were admitted to the Amsterdam UMC. Among the 845 patients who survived, 537 participated in the QoL questionnaires. Patient characteristics, complications, EQ-5D questionnaires, modified Rankin Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were analyzed using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables or the Pearson χ2 test for categorical variables. Of the 537 responders, 452 (84%) presented with low grade (WFNS 1-3) and 85 (16%) presented with high grade (WFNS 4-5). The high-grade group reported a self-perceived QoL score of 70 (of 100), while the low-grade group reported a score of 75 (P = .12). The mean EQ-5D index value was 0.74 for the high-grade group and 0.81 for the low-grade group (P < .01). In the high-grade group, 61 patients (72%) had a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-3) compared with 419 (94%) in the low-grade group (P < .001). High-grade WFNS patients rated their QoL as satisfactory, with only a marginal 5-point difference on a 100-point scale compared with low-grade WFNS patients. In addition, almost three-quarters of high-grade WFNS survivors achieved a favorable outcome. Given that a subset of patients, despite presenting with a poor clinical condition, still achieve a favorable outcome, these findings reinforce our perspective advocating for early and comprehensive treatment.

Visualizing Worldwide Prevalence of Age-Related Dual Sensory Loss.

Objectives: This study aims to create a first visualization of global prevalence of age-related dual sensory loss (DSL), significantly affecting older people's quality of life. Methods: Data from World Health Organization (WHO) regions, particularly African, American, and European, were analyzed. The study focused on DSL onset and prevalence, using adjusted life expectancy for regional comparison. Results: There were notable regional variations in DSL onset and prevalence. The African region showed consistent data, thanks to standardized methods from the World Federation of the Deafblind. However, global patterns varied when adjusted for life expectancy, hinting at possible DSL prevalence stabilization at older ages. Discussion: The study identifies a lack of standardization in DSL prevalence research regarding definitions, methodologies, and reporting. It calls for more uniform and thorough research methods for accurate global DSL understanding. The research highlights the complexity and challenges in determining DSL prevalence worldwide.

Comments and illustrations of the WFUMB CEUS liver guidelines: Rare benign focal liver lesion, part II.

It is important to be familiar with the typical imaging features of the uncommon or even extremely rare focal liver lesions (FLL). Current guidelines of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) is aimed at assessing the usefulness of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the management of various FLL. In this review, we aim to summarize the ultrasound and CEUS characteristics with literature review of some extremely rare benign FLL, which might be helpful for improving diagnostic efficiency clinically.

The Relationship Between Ionized Calcium Levels and Prognosis in Patients with Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The serum calcium plays a role as a cofactor in critical steps such as cardiac contractility, vascular tone, and the coagulation cascade. This study aimed to determine if the level of ionized calcium can predict outcomes in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the emergency department. The study was a retrospective cross-sectional case series. Patients aged 18 and over diagnosed with spontaneous SAH in the emergency department were included in the study. Patients' demographic characteristics, comorbidities, vital signs, laboratory parameters, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies score, SAH grading according to the Fisher scale, needs of mechanical ventilation and inotropic treatment, administered treatments, complications, Rankin scores at discharge, and outcome were recorded in a standard data form. A total of 267 patients were studied, with a mean age of 55.5 ± 13.4years, and 53.9% (n= 144) were female. Hydrocephalus was present in 16.5% of patients. The average hospital stay was 20.4 ± 19.8days. Mortality rate was 34.8% (n= 93). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with low calcium levels upon admission (P= 0.024). Ionized calcium levels during complication development independently predicted mortality (OR: 0.945, 95% CI: 0.898-0.996, P= 0.034). Patients with poor neurologic outcomes (Rankin: 3-6) had significantly lower initial ionized calcium levels (P= 0.002). The ionized calcium level is a readily accessible blood gas parameter that assists clinicians in predicting functional independence and mortality at discharge in patients presenting to the emergency department with spontaneous SAH.

Nighttime Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Are Associated With Poor Outcomes.

Rebleeding of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) is associated with poor outcomes. Although immediate treatment of RIAs is preferred, optimal treatment timing is multifactorial and may be a complicating factor for achieving the best outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes for patients with RIAs as a function of treatment time of day. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines how treatment time of day influences treatment outcomes. This retrospective single-center study included all patients who were treated, either surgically or endovascularly, for RIAs within 24 hours after admission. Exclusion criteria were blister, mycotic or giant aneurysms, or incomplete records. The modified Rankin Scale was used to evaluate treatment outcomes using multivariate analysis. Nighttime treatment was defined when greater than 50% of the procedure was performed between 10 pm and 7 am, with other times classified as daytime treatment. Off-hours treatment was defined when more than 50% of the procedure was performed between 7 pm and 7 am, with other times classified as on-hours. This study included 493 patients, with 84.2% (415) treated during the daytime, 15.8% (78) during the nighttime, 67.5% (333) during on-hours, and 32.5% (160) during off-hours. These groups did not differ according to age, sex, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and Fisher scales, aneurysm size, location, and surgical or endovascular treatment. Outcomes were favorable (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) for 72.0% (299) of patients treated during the daytime and 60.0% (46) of patients treated during the nighttime. Aneurysm treatment during the nighttime (OR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.28-0.91], P = .023) but not during off-hours (OR: 0.76 [0.50-1.14], P = .18) was independently associated with unfavorable outcomes. Nighttime treatment was associated with poorer outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate outcomes if treatment is postponed to daytime hours.

World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Migraine recommendation summaries: 世界针灸学会联合会《针灸临床实践指南:偏头痛》推荐意见概述

Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Migraine (WFAS 007.9-2023) is a clinical practice guideline officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) on October 9, 2023, and is the first international guideline on the treatment of migraine with acupuncture. This international standard was developed under the guidance of rigorous evidence-based methodology, and it contains guideline purpose, scope, applicable population, applicable settings, overview of acupuncture for migraine, guideline development process and recommendations. For promoting the understanding and application of this guideline, this article summarizes a total of 18 recommendations in order to assist clinical decisions for migraine with acupuncture.

World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Allergic Rhinitis recommendation summaries: 世界针灸学会联合会《针灸临床实践指南:过敏性鼻炎》推荐意见概述

Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Allergic Rhinitis was revised and released by the Standards Working Committee of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) on October 9, 2023. This is the first clinical practice guideline (CPG) on acupuncture and moxibustion for allergic rhinitis approved by an international academic organization, which provides evidence-based recommendations and the practical therapeutic protocols for acupuncture practitioners globally. This CPG was developed by following Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, and the principles of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development. The members in the guideline development group (GDG) were from different countries, with different professions, and they played a critical role in the development of clinical questions, recommendations, and therapeutic protocols. Recommendations are the core of a CPG and the direct answers to clinical questions, due to which this article focuses on the recommendations of this CPG. The recommendations were developed by using the modified Delphi method and the GRADE grid rules, based on the updated systematic reviews of clinical evidence. A total of 15 recommendations for 15 clinical questions were developed in this CPG, including one strong recommendation for intervention based on high-quality evidence, three conditional recommendations for either the intervention or the comparison based on very low quality of evidence, and 11 conditional recommendations for the intervention based on very low quality of evidence.

Impact of premorbid hypertension and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors on the severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a multicentre study

BackgroundHypertension is widely acknowledged as a significant contributory factor to the heightened risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture. Nevertheless, the impact of hypertension management on the outcomes subsequent to aneurysmal subarachnoid...

Understanding Risk and Uncertainty Management: A Qualitative Inquiry into Developing Business Strategies Amidst Global Economic Shifts, Government Policies, and Market Volatility

This research aims to investigate the management of risk and uncertainty within the context of developing business strategies amidst global economic shifts, government policies, and market volatility. The study employs a qualitative inquiry approach, utilizing systematic literature review and thematic analysis to identify emerging themes and patterns in contemporary business environments. The research findings reveal several key insights regarding adaptive strategies, scenario planning, and technological advancements in risk management. Firstly, adaptive strategies are crucial for organizational competitiveness and sustainability, emphasizing agility, innovation, and dynamic capabilities. Secondly, scenario planning facilitates strategic foresight, resilience, and preparedness by exploring alternative futures and assessing their potential impacts. Thirdly, technological advancements, particularly in AI and data analytics, revolutionize risk assessment capabilities and strategic decision-making processes, enabling proactive risk management and enhanced resilience. The study underscores the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, investing in technological capabilities, and integrating scenario planning into strategic planning processes to navigate uncertainties effectively. Moreover, future research directions include comparative analysis, longitudinal studies, cross-disciplinary research, technological innovation, crisis management, and ethical considerations to deepen understanding and promote effective strategies for organizational resilience and sustainability.

Gaining Accreditation of the World Federation for Medical Education; Training for Employment or License to Brain Drain?

Gaining Accreditation of the World Federation for Medical Education; Training for Employment or License to Brain Drain?

Exploring the Singapore general population's trust in COVID-19 information from different sources and its association with perceived risk of infection during the pandemic.

The degree of public trust in the government's competence is crucial in preventing the spread of misinformation and reducing psychological distress during a pandemic. The study aimed to (i) explore the trust in COVID-19 information from different sources and trust in the ability of the World Health Organization (WHO), government departments and related institutions in handling the epidemic in Singapore and (ii) its association with perceived risk of infection among Singapore residents. A total of 1,129 participants (aged 21 and above) were recruited from a cross-sectional study examining the well-being and resilience of Singapore's population between May 2020 to June 2021. Trust in COVID-19 information from different sources was measured on a 10-point scale and an ordinal 7-point scale was used for perceived risk of infection. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression model were conducted. 85.5% reported high trust in COVID-19 information from the government and their ability in handling the pandemic. Participants also reported high trust in COVID-19 information from local public health or infectious disease experts (84.4%) and traditional media (77.2%). Low trust in the ability of government departments and related institutions was associated with higher future (1 month) perceived risk of infection (OR: 5.7, 95% CI 1.02-32.45) and low trust in social media was associated with higher current perceived risk of infection (OR: 2.4, 95% CI 1.09-5.24). The present study provided insight on the level of trust on COVID-19 information from different sources and its associated perceived risks of infection. Future qualitative studies are recommended to facilitate better understanding of public trust and identify strategies for how it can be effectively addressed to support future public health responses.

Brazil’s Economic Potential with Carbon Credits: A Study of the “Mata Do Buraquinho” – Brazil

Introduction: Public (state) concern about the climate has, in turn, catalyzed the creation between global governments and transnational companies, and these models are subject to risk-consequence type measures, the conduct of which is now known as the voluntary carbon credit market. The article in question deals with one of the most talked-about economic instruments for combating global warming in international politics, the carbon credit market. Objective: The article in question proposes a reflection on this subject, which has been so much talked about in recent years, focusing on its economic perspective and using a case study methodology to support its results. Theoretical framework: The mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a necessary condition to lead to a low-carbon economy, and the best way to achieve this is through the application of economic instruments. Such as putting a price on carbon, making this transition quicker and less costly from a social point of view. In this way, with a higher relative price for pollution, private agents will choose between paying for or reducing pollution, comparing the marginal cost of control with the price of carbon. Methodology: Initially, a bibliographical review was made of the economic theoretical framework that underpins one of the instruments considered most efficient in combating climate change, the carbon credit market. In another part of this work, a practical application of this mechanism was carried out, using an evaluation methodology for an application of this instrument in the municipality of João Pessoa -PB, which stands out for being one of the most wooded cities in Brazil and for having some conservation units in its territory, such as the one used in the work, the Mata do Buraquinho Wildlife Reserve. Results: The sale of the ecosystem services that the forest offers, in this case its capacity to absorb CO2, could improve the conditions for maintaining the area and perhaps attract more people to visit it. Thus, the value found for “Mata do Buraquinho” was R$61,968.26.