4,188 research outputs found
The Effect of Compulsory Schooling Laws on Teenage Marriage and Births in Turkey
No full textThis paper estimates the impact of the extension of compulsory schooling in Turkey from 5 to 8 years on the marriage and fertility behavior of teenage women in Turkey using the 2008 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey. We find that the new education policy reduces the probability of marriage and giving birth for teenage women substantially: the probability of marriage by age 16 is reduced by 44 percent and the probability of giving birth by age 17 falls by 36 percent. The effects of the education policy on the time until marriage and firstbirth persist beyond the completion of compulsory schooling. In addition, we find that the delay in the time until first-birth is driven by the delay in the time until marriage. After a woman is married, the rise in compulsory schooling years does not have an effect on the duration until her first-birth. Finally, we find that the education policy was more effective in reducing early marriage than a change in the Civil Code aimed for this purpose.Age at marriage, Fertility, Education, Compulsory Schooling
The Effect of Compulsory Schooling Laws on Teenage Marriage and Births in Turkey
No full textThis paper estimates the impact of the extension of compulsory schooling in Turkey from 5 to 8 years on the marriage and fertility behavior of teenage women in Turkey using the 2008 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey. We find that the new education policy reduces the probability of marriage and giving birth for teenage women substantially: the probability of marriage by age 16 is reduced by 44 percent and the probability of giving birth by age 17 falls by 36 percent. The effects of the education policy on the time until marriage and first-birth persist beyond the completion of compulsory schooling. In addition, we find that the delay in the time until first-birth is driven by the delay in the time until marriage. After a woman is married, the rise in compulsory schooling years does not have an effect on the duration until her first-birth. Finally, we find that the education policy was more effective in reducing early marriage than a change in the Civil Code aimed for this purpose.compulsory schooling, education, fertility, age at marriage
Collaboration between doctors and nurses in two public hospitals in China
No full textNurses and doctors have worked together to manage patients for a long time. Within the past decade, collaboration between doctors and nurses to provide improved health care has become commonplace especially, in hospitals. As and nurses differ in their professional goals – clinical care delivery and patient and advocacy – they face challenges in their work-related collaboration. Most instruments to measure doctor-nurse collaboration were developed for western healthcare institutions. As a result they were unlikely to be psychometrically or culturally oriented to a Chinese healthcare environment. The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable tool to test doctor-nurse collaboration in a Chinese healthcare setting and to assess collaboration in public hospitals in China. Two hospitals participated in the study, including 398 doctors and nurses. development included content validity through feedback from experts with international medical or nursing backgrounds to inform questionnaire refinement and reliability testing. Factor analysis was used for data reduction and factor structure and to confirm the factor structure of a previously validated instrument. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were established. Summary descriptive statistics were calculated to compare the prevalence of levels of collaboration. Logistic and linear regression were used to identify factors contributing to work-place collaboration. 398 doctors and nurses participated. A 28-item questionnaire was developed and validated. Three factors (work related autonomy, work related skills and work related relationships) were identified. The high construct validity was determined for each factor and for the overall questionnaire. Overall Cronbach alpha was 0.83, by hospital 0.85 and 0.88 respectively; and by profession (doctors and nurses) 0.81 and 0.84 respectively. a profession nurses vs doctors and by location the general hospital vs the hospital were associated with more positive work-place collaboration scores. variables were included in the regression model explaining 56% of total variance collaboration scores. Doctor-nurse collaboration was negatively associated with working hours and number of patients under care. Finally, a negative relationship between doctor-nurse collaboration and depression was confirmed. In conclusion, the questionnaire “Work-related Collaboration among Doctors and Nurses Scale” had satisfactory validity and reliability. It has the potential to be a useful tool in evaluating doctor-nurse collaboration in public hospitals in China. The evaluation of both the clinical and cost effectiveness of strategies to improve effective inter-professional education and inter-professional work environments for doctors and nurses is needed to confirm these findings and to add to the evidence of the impact of collaboration on work efficiency, conflict management and avoidance, and unnecessary waste. Fostering collaborative relationships has the potential to decrease workplace stress and depression symptoms and perhaps thereby improve productivity and efficiency.published_or_final_versionPublic HealthMasterMaster of Philosoph
The SSC of the Generalised Jahangir’s Graph Jm,k and its Algebraic Characterizations
No full textIn this article, we present important combinatorial and algebraicproperties of spanning simplicial complex (SSC) of the generalised Jahangir’sgraph Jm,k. We describe the relation to find f−vectors associatedto Δs(Jm,k) and determine the Hilbert series for the SR-ring KΔs(Jm,k).In the end, we present the associated primes of the facet ideal IF(Δs(Jm,k))and the Cohen-Macaulay characterization of the SR-ring of Δs(Jm,k).AMS (MOS) Subject Classification Codes: Primary 13-P10, Secondary 13-F20, 13-C14, 13-H10.Corresponding Author: Agha KashifKey Words: Simplicial Complexes, f-vectors, Spanning Trees, Face Ring, Hilbert Series, CohenMacaulay
To <i>JM</i> on Its 75th Anniversary
No full text This article discusses how Journal of Marketing ( JM) has influenced marketing science and practice by publishing articles on substantive topics relevant to customers, managers, organizations, markets, and society. The journal's 75th anniversary coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Marketing Science Institute (MSI). Frequently, JM and MSI have collaborated to address important substantive marketing issues identified in MSI's Research Priorities. The author highlights seminal articles on brand equity; business-to-business marketing (including sales force management); connecting marketing information, metrics, and strategy; consumer behavior; innovation, new product development. and product management; marketing orientation and capabilities; and market research, methodology and services. She also draws attention to articles that have won the Sheth Foundation/ JM Award and the H. Paul Root Award. The article describes how JM‘s knowledge dissemination is amplified by powerful social network effects. Ideas in JM articles diffuse through the business community, influencing the mind-set of managers worldwide. </jats:p
What young adolescents think about effective pedagogy and technology use
No full textA New Zealand comparative case study investigated the impact of technological device use in literacy, over a three month period, for Year (Grade) 4-6 and Year 7-8 students. In school A (Year 4-6 students) data were gathered from two pairs of control matched classes, one of each pair of classes using technological devices; in school B (Year 7-8 students) comparisons were made pre and post technology use. In both schools, pre and post- standardised achievement data were analysed, along with classroom observations, student and teacher interview data. Whilst significant progress was made in student achievement, when compared with national average point score shifts (author, in press), of particular interest in this article are young adolescent students’ views about effective pedagogy and technology use. For adolescents, availability of devices made learning more: fun, time efficient, accessible outside of school hours; and enhanced their research and presentation of learning. At times, friends and classmates helped by sharing information and new ideas, but frequent talking and distractions hindered learning. However, the pedagogical actions of teachers (particularly explicit, focused teaching of literacy and technology knowledge strategies) and provision of choices, varied and active learning opportunities were perceived to make the greatest difference to student learning.FALSEPublished onlin
Life course exposures and later metabolic risk factors until young adulthood
No full text
Background
Insights from a life course perspective potentially reduce the increasing trend of metabolic diseases. In particular, breastfeeding status and child growth are key modifiable exposures, as evidenced by the success of breastfeeding promotion interventions. Studies investigating the associations of breastfeeding status and child growth with later health were mainly conducted at young ages and findings remain controversial. This thesis investigated the associations of breastfeeding and child growth with metabolic risk factors into young adulthood and differences by sex.
Methods
This thesis took advantage of a large population-representative Chinese birth cohort, “Children of 1997”, from the non-Western developed setting of Hong Kong (n=8327). Breastfeeding status were classified as “exclusively breastfeeding for at least 3 months” (BF), “partially breastfeeding for any length of time or exclusively breastfeeding for less than 3 months” (MF) and “never breastfeeding” (FF). Weight and length/height measures were considered as weight-for-age z scores (WAZ), length/height-for-age z scores (LAZ) and body-mass-index-for-age z scores (BAZ), relative to the World Health Organization child growth standards/references. Overnight fasting blood samples at ~17.5 years were assayed to obtain fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low- (LDL) and high- (HDL) density lipoprotein and triglycerides (TG). Blood pressure at ~17.5 years was converted to height-, age-, sex-specific systolic (SBPZ) and diastolic (DBPZ) blood pressure z scores, relative to the United States National High Blood Pressure Education Group reference 2004. Adjusted sex- and age-specific associations of breastfeeding status with infant growth from birth to 36 months were assessed using linear regression and mixed modelling, respectively. Adjusted sex-specific associations of breastfeeding status with overall BAZ up to 16 years were examined using generalized estimating equation. Adjusted associations of child growth at different phases from birth to puberty with metabolic risk factors were investigated using partial least squares regression.
Results
Breastfeeding status was differentially associated with infant WAZ gains by age, but not associated with overall BAZ up to 16 years in boys and girls. Initial size was unrelated to glycemic indicators and blood pressure, while lower LAZ at 3 months was associated with higher TG and lower HDL. Gains in WAZ from birth to 2 years and LAZ and BAZ from 3 months to 3 years were positively associated with SBPZ; higher LAZ gain from 3 months to 3 years was also associated with lower HDL and higher TG. Gains in WAZ from 2 to 8 years and BAZ from 3 to 8 years were adversely associated with blood pressure, glycemic indicators especially in FPG and lipid profile exclusively in TG among boys, and LAZ gain from 3 to 8 years was positively associated with FPG and SBPZ. Growth from 8 to 14 years was not associated with metabolic risk factors.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding status may affect short-term but not long-term growth. Greater growth especially in weight and body mass index during childhood may be more relevant to metabolic risk factors. Differential associations of child growth at various phases from birth to childhood with metabolic risk factors suggest the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases may differ.published_or_final_versionPublic HealthMasterMaster of Philosoph
JM-20, a Benzodiazepine-Dihydropyridine Hybrid Molecule, Inhibits the Formation of Alpha-Synuclein-Aggregated Species
No full text\ua9 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.Studies showed that JM-20, a benzodiazepine-dihydropyridine hybrid molecule, protects against rotenone and 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxicity. However, its protective effects against cytotoxicity induced by endogenous neurotoxins involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis have never been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the ability of JM-20 to inhibit alpha-synuclein (aSyn) aggregation. We also evaluated the interactions of JM-20 with aSyn by molecular docking and molecular dynamics and assessed the protective effect of JM-20 against aminochrome cytotoxicity. We demonstrated that JM-20 induced the formation of heterogeneous amyloid fibrils, which were innocuous to primary cultures of mesencephalic cells. Moreover, JM-20 reduced the average size of aSyn positive inclusions in H4 cells transfected with SynT wild-type and synphilin-1-V5, but not in HEK cells transfected with synphilin-1-GFP. In silico studies showed the interaction between JM-20 and the aSyn-binding site. Additionally, we showed that JM-20 protects SH-SY5Y cells against aminochrome cytotoxicity. These results reinforce the potential of JM-20 as a neuroprotective compound for PD and suggest aSyn as a molecular target for JM-20
Inequality, inequity and the rise of non-communicable disease inChina
No full textBackground: Rapid economic growth in mainland China has been accompanied in recent years by rising levels of inequality and a growing burden of non-communicable disease (NCD), though little is known at present about the relations between these forces. This thesis makes use of data from a large sample of older men and women in Guangzhou, one of China’s most developed cities, to examine the relations between inequality, inequity and non-communicable disease.
Objectives: This thesis addresses two research questions: what is the relationship between inequality/inequity and non-communicable disease in China; and what are the implications of this relationship for health policy in China. These two questions lead to two working hypotheses: first, that inequalities may be both a cause and consequence of NCDs in China, potentially creating a vicious cycle which reinforces inequality and inequity; and second, that reducing dependence on out of pocket payments as a source of healthcare finance may help to prevent the continuation of the inequality-NCD cycle.
Methods: I used data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS), including 30,499 men and women aged 50 or over from Guangzhou and multi-variable regression methods to examine associations of socioeconomic position at four life stages (childhood, early adulthood, late adulthood and current) with several health outcomes: self-rated health, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, metabolic syndrome and markers of immunological inflammation (white blood cells, granulocytes and lymphocytes). These analyses related to the hypothesis that inequalities may be a cause of non-communicable disease in China.
I also examined whether inequity may be a consequence of non-communicable disease by measuring whether horizontal inequity (deviation from the principle of equal access to healthcare for equal need) was greater for treatment of NCDs than for general healthcare. I tested this using both concentration index methods and multi-variable regression models. For comparative purposes, I conducted these analyses in data from three settings: Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Scotland (UK).
Results: I found that socioeconomic deprivation across the life course was associated with poorer self-rated health, higher risk of COPD, higher white cell and granulocyte cell counts and (in women only) higher risk metabolic syndrome and higher lymphocyte cell counts. I also found evidence of pro-rich inequity in utilisation of treatment for three major non-communicable conditions (hypertension, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia) in Guangzhou, whilst there was no evidence of inequity in general healthcare utilisation (doctor consultations and hospital admissions) or treatment of gastric ulcer.
Conclusion: My findings gave qualified support for the idea that socioeconomic inequalities may contribute to some, though not all, non-communicable diseases in China. Moreover, the mechanisms which link socioeconomic inequality to NCDs in China remain unclear. My results also supported the suggestion that a rising burden of non-communicable disease may contribute to greater pro-rich inequity in healthcare utilisation, especially for conditions which are chronic and asymptomatic. As rates of NCDs continue to rise in China and other developing countries, policies to prevent and treat common NCDs may be improved by a clearer understanding of how inequality is related to non-communicable disease.published_or_final_versionCommunity MedicineDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph
Moderate alcohol use and health
No full textBackground: Many western observational studies suggest moderate alcohol use is associated with better health including lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cognitive decline. However, the apparent benefit is susceptible to confounding by healthier attributes in moderate users. Randomized controlled trials of moderate alcohol use are infeasible. To assess the validity of these association for causal inference, I examined these associations in a setting (Southern China) with a different social patterning of alcohol use from more commonly studied western populations and using a Mendelian randomization design.
Objectives: This thesis utilized two large Southern Chinese cohorts, the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS) (n=30,499) and the Elderly Health Centre (EHC) Cohort (n=64,353) to examine sex-specific association of moderate alcohol use with cognitive function using observational designs. I also examined systematic differences between alcohol users and the credibility of alcohol-metabolizing genes as instruments for Mendelian randomization in GBCS. Mendelian randomization was used to examine the effect of alcohol use on cognitive function and cardiovascular risk factors and morbidity among men in GBCS.
Methods: I used multivariable linear regression to examine the adjusted association of alcohol use categories (never, occasional, social weekly (EHC only), moderate, heavy and former) with cognitive function, measured by delayed 10-word recall test (phases 1-3 of GBCS), Mini-Mental State Examination (phase 3 of GBCS) and Abbreviated Mental Test (EHC), stratified by sex and age. I used multinomial logistic regression to examine the sex-specific systematic difference by alcohol category in GBCS. I used multivariable linear regression to examine the genetic association of ALDH2 with different cardiovascular risk factors and morbidities, cognitive outcomes and liver enzymes and to assess if alcohol phenotypes mediated any apparent genetic association in men. I used 2 stage least squares (2SLS) regression to examine the association of alcohol units (10g ethanol/day) with cognitive function and cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids and fasting glucose) and morbidities (self reported cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease) in men in GBCS.
Results: Occasional alcohol use, rather than moderate alcohol use, was consistently associated with higher cognitive function in both studies. Systematic differences among alcohol users were present. Occasional alcohol users had better health attributes while moderate users had slightly poorer attributes compared to never users. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) was a credible instrument for Mendelian randomization. From Mendelian randomization, low to moderate alcohol use was not associated with cognitive function in men. However, it was positively associated with HDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure but not with fasting glucose or cardiovascular morbidity in men.
Conclusions: Moderate alcohol use was not associated with cognitive function, suggesting that previous positive studies could be confounded by better health attributes in moderate users. The lack of association of alcohol use with cardiovascular morbidity despite raising HDL cholesterol is consistent with non-observational studies showing the non-causal role of HDL cholesterol in cardiovascular disease. These may suggest the apparent cardioprotection of alcohol is confounded although it remains possible that cardioprotection is population-specific via pathways other than HDL cholesterol, which require further investigations.published_or_final_versionCommunity MedicineDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph
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