OBJECTIVES Influenza vaccination is an effective method for preventing influenza virus infection. Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to quantify global influenza vaccination rates (IVRs) and the factors influencing its uptake in the general population, individuals with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and healthcare workers. METHODS Related articles were obtained from online databases and screened according to the inclusion criteria. The pooled IVRs were calculated using the random effects model. Subgroup analyses and multivariate meta-regression were performed to determine the factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake. RESULTS We included 522 studies from 68 countries/regions. Most studies were conducted in the European region (247 studies), followed by the Western Pacific (135 studies) and American regions (100 studies). The IVRs in the general population were lower (24.96%, 23.45-26.50%) than in individuals with chronic diseases (41.65%, 40.08-43.23%), healthcare workers (36.57%, 33.74-39.44%), and pregnant women (25.92%, 23.18-28.75%). The IVRs were significantly higher in high-income countries/regions than that in middle-income countries/regions. Countries/regions with free vaccine policy, perception of influenza vaccine efficacy and disease severity, a recommendation from healthcare workers, and having a history of influenza vaccination were positive factors for vaccine uptake (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Overall, global IVRs were low, especially in the general population. The studies on the IVRs, especially for priority populations, should be strengthened in Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asian, and African regions. Free vaccine policies and the dissemination of continuous awareness campaigns are effective measures to enhance vaccination uptake.
Over the last decade, analyses of Scotland’s historic global diasporas have incorporated more pronounced conversations on how Scotland’s current political, social, and economic contexts are rooted in the legacies of the British Empire. While this has produced narratives highlighting Scotland’s key role in imperial expansion, the resonance of this in establishing and perpetuating systems of white oppression are less widely addressed in Scotland’s consciousness of its own identity. Through consideration of how architecture’s cultural analogies reflect and represent Imperial ideologies, this paper will explore the resonance of architectural urban discourse funded by the outputs of the British Empire. It will discuss how an architecturally focused reading of our built environment can clearly recognise the systemic legacies of colonialism and imperialism within our urban realm, and further enhance inclusive narratives of Scotland’s heritage. This will highlight how a more nuanced approach to reading the historic built environment is necessary to challenge established current authorised heritage discourse of white male histories. It will demonstrate the function of the built environment in telling stories of Scotland’s prominent role in Empire and how this supports a human-rights based approach to heritage analysis.
History (General) and history of Europe, English language
W latach II wojny światowej alianci stanęli przed poważnym problem związanym z wieloma morskimi operacjami desantowymi, prowadzonymi zarówno na Pacyfiku, jak i w Europie. Dla ich sprawnej realizacji koniecznym było skonstruowanie i zbudowanie różnorodnych łodzi i barek desantowych. Wśród nich znalazły się legendarne barki desantowe LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel), zaprojektowane przez Andrew Jacksona Higginsa, amerykańskiego konstruktora i budowniczego łodzi pełnomorskich. Dzięki nim możliwe było m.in. lądowanie tysięcy żołnierzy i sprzętu na otwartych plażach Normandii w trakcie operacji „Overlord” w czerwcu 1944 r. Ostatni etap transportu żołnierzy i sprzętu z okrętów i statków na plaże Normandii był – zdaniem wielu wojskowych – najtrudniejszy. Potrzebowano do tego lekkich łodzi i barek desantowych, które byłyby w stanie przewieźć ludzi i sprzęt po płytkiej wodzie z okrętów na ląd. I wówczas właśnie Andrew J. Higgins zaproponował kilka rodzajów łodzi desantowych, w tym słynną LCVP. Nie ulega wątpliwości, że barki Higginsa w istotny sposób przyczyniły się do sukcesu alianckiej operacji lądowania na plażach Normandii.
Questo studio si articola in due parti. Nella prima si tratteggia il problema della comparsa e della diffusione del titolo di comitissa a partire dalla seconda metà del IX secolo, dando conto delle principali spiegazioni che sono state date al fenomeno. Nella seconda parte invece si presenta il caso di Ermentrude sculdarissa, a lungo interpretata erroneamente come Ermentrude sculdascio. Nella pergamena Verona, Archivio di Stato, Corporazioni Religiose Soppresse, S. Maria in Organo App.* n. 10 la donna compare come emptrix di due terre con vigne nel territorio veronese e come autrice di una lettera all’abate Rumaldo in cui promette la donazione di alcuni suoi beni a S. Maria in Organo. Scopo dello studio è quello di contestualizzare e cercare di spiegare l’invenzione del titolo sculdarissa nella Verona carolingia tra gli anni Quaranta e Sessanta del IX secolo.
Abstract Background Several pre-participation screening algorithms (PPSAs) have been proposed to assess sports eligibility in different populations. They are usually based on self-administered questionnaires, without further medical assessment if no risk factors are documented. The Med-Ex “Formula Benessere” worksite program includes a complete cardiovascular (CV) screening for all participants. The purpose of this study was to assess PPSAs accuracy in detecting medical and/or CV abnormalities in the general population, comparing the results with the date derived from Med-Ex program. Methods The Med-Ex medical evaluation, consisting of medical history, physical examination (including body composition), resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and exercise stress test in 464 male subjects (38.4 aged) was analyzed and matched to several PPSAs – Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) (2002–2020), American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) (1998–2009–2014–2015), European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR) (2011) – retrospectively simulated. Results Five-hundred and 67 abnormalities were detected though Med-Ex medical evaluation, and one-fourth (24%) would have been undetected applying PPSA alone. In particular 28% of high blood pressure, 21% of impaired fasting glycaemia, 21% of high Body Mass Index (BMI) values and 19% of ECG abnormalities would have been missed, on average, by all PPSAs. Conclusions The simulation analysis model performed in this study allowed to highlight the limits of PPSAs in granting sport eligibility, compared to a medical-guided CV screening. These findings emphasize the importance of a more balanced approach to pre-participation screening that includes a thorough evaluation of the cost/benefit ratio.
Introduction: Frailty syndrome occurs more frequently in patients with diabetes than in the general population. The reasons for this more frequent occurrence and the interdependence of the two conditions are not well understood. To date, there is no fully effective method for the diagnosis, prevention, and monitoring of frailty syndrome. This study aimed to assess the degree of metabolic control of diabetes in patients with frailty syndrome and to determine the impact of frailty on the course of diabetes using a retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 103 individuals aged 60+ with diabetes were studied. The study population included 65 women (63.1%) and 38 men (36.9%). The mean age was 72.96 years (SD 7.55). The study was conducted in the practice of a general practitioner in Wielkopolska in 2018–2019. The research instrument was the authors’ original medical history questionnaire. The questions of the questionnaire were related to age, education, and sociodemographic situation of the respondents, as well as their dietary habits, health status, and use of stimulants. Other instruments used were: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Lawton Scale (IADL—Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), Katz Scale (ADL—Activities of Daily Living), Geriatric Depression Rating Scale (GDS), and SHARE-FI scale (Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe). Anthropometric and biochemical tests were performed. Results: In the study, frailty syndrome was diagnosed using the SHARE-FI scale in 26 individuals (25%): 32 (31.1%) were pre-frailty and 45 (43.7%) represented a non-frailty group. Statistical analysis revealed that elevated HbA1c levels were associated with a statistically significant risk of developing frailty syndrome (p = 0.048). In addition, the co-occurrence of diabetes and frailty syndrome was found to be a risk factor for loss of functional capacity or limitation in older adults (p = 0.00) and was associated with the risk of developing depression (p < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Concerning metabolic control of diabetes, higher HbA1c levels in the elderly are a predictive factor for the development of frailty syndrome. No statistical significance was found for the other parameters of metabolic control in diabetes. People with frailty syndrome scored significantly higher on the Geriatric Depression Rating Scale and lower on the MMSE cognitive rating scale than the comparison group. This suggests that frailty is a predictive factor for depression and cognitive impairment. Patients with frailty and diabetes have significantly lower scores on the Basic Activities of Daily Living Rating Scale and the Complex Activities of Daily Living Rating Scale, which are associated with loss or limitation of functioning. Frailty syndrome is a predictive factor for loss of functional capacity in the elderly.
Background: The Operating Department Assistant is employed in the perioperative environment to assist with anaesthetics, scrubbing and circulating duties. Research indicates a lack of this phenomenon experienced by Operating Department Assistant in the perioperative environment. Aim: To explore and describe the Operating Department Assistants' experiences in the perioperative environment. Methodological design: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was followed using a phenomenological research method. A purposeful sampling method was utilised to select eight female participants from one private hospital group in Gauteng. In-depth, individual, unstructured interviews were conducted using Giorgi's method of data analysis to reveal the construct of the phenomenon. Findings: The results revealed that Operating Department Assistants experienced happiness, pride, joy, understanding of their duties and fostered teamwork with in the perioperative environment. Furthermore the Operating Department Assistants experienced unhappiness, revealing role confusion, distrust, emotional suppression, limited professional and exploitation in the perioperative environment. Conclusion: The experiences of the Operating Department Assistants in the perioperative environment was explored and described. The sensitive nature of this phenomenon highlighted the happiness and unhappiness experienced by the Operating Department Assistants in the perioperative environment. Recommendation practices include effective orientation. mentorship, transitioning and partnership to caringly support, clarify the Operating Department Assistant role, affirmation and display their expertise, providing valuabe assistance in the perioperative environment.
Introduction. The article discusses the motive of a “miracle in a fiery furnace”, based on the story of the Three Holy Children in the Book of Daniel. Methods. The study provides a comparative analysis of the Biblical topos about the trial by fire in Byzantine, Western European and Eastern sources. A semiotic approach of textual study is used. Analysis. In Byzantine hagiography and hymnography, the plot of the “Three Holy Children” was interpreted as a prototype of the Incarnation, so, the sacred situation was reproduced in new historical conditions. In the Lives of Bishops of Cherson, the plot about miracle in the furnace is used for construction the local sacred history. Similar motives are found in the narratives about the baptism of Rus, such as Vita Basilii (the fifth book of Theophanes Continuatus), Vita beati Romualdi by Petrus Damiani, Historia de predicatione episcopi Brunonis. In narrative about conversion of Özbeg Khan to Islam, literary plot was connected with shamanistic representations about the holy fire. Results. The Biblical topos of the “fiery furnace” underwent a semantic transformation within the framework of various discourses. It was used in Byzantine texts for constructing the Christian Identity, while was enhanced by Turkic mythology in Muslim tradition.
History of Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics, International relations
V. Ya. Romanchenko, I. A. Nozhkina, O. N. Shmygina
Background. The purpose of this work is to analyze the first steps of the Bolshevik
government to form a system of agricultural management. The socio-economic
and political conditions and features of this process are determined. Attention is focused
on the political bias of the government’s activities in organizing agricultural
management, the priority focus of this activity on the development of large public
farms and support for the rural poor. An important condition for studying the modern
system of agriculture, especially its management, is the need to study the experience
of agricultural management in the historical past, which determines the relevance
of this study.
Materials and methods. The research is based on documents and materials that
reveal the essence of the Soviet system of agricultural management at the initial
stage of the formation of the Soviet government and works by scientists in the field
of organization of public farms in the Russian countryside. In the course of preparing
the work, we used basic research methods – dialectical, historicism, objectivity,
system ones which allowed us to organize and structure the material taking into
account agricultural issues. We also used common research methods such as problem-
chronological, historical description, comparative-historical ones which allowed
us to form a holistic view of the origins of the Soviet system of agricultural management.
Results. The system of agricultural management in Russia in the period 1917–
1920 is studied, allowing us to identify the features of the formation and management
of agriculture at the initial stage of its development.
Conclusions. It is concluded that initially the functioning of the management system
of the agricultural sector of the economy was based on the principle of command
administration, characteristic of totalitarian regimes. The emerging system of
agricultural management was based on the principles of strict leadership and dictate.
There was an acute shortage of managerial personnel in the field of agriculture.
In general, in this period of time, it was not possible to create a coherent management
system.
The study presents a model of comparative analysis of financial performance based on two categories of instruments and evaluates the interdependencies between different performance measures. Based on the information gathered from secondary sources, we determined, interpreted and dynamically analysed the following indicators: return on assets, return on equity, degree of global indebtedness, current and quick liquidity and economic added value. The obtained results allowed the shaping of two performance profiles on the basis of which the ranking of the analysed companies was made. In order to identify the interdependencies between the different performance measures, we performed a first regression analysis which indicated that the company's ability to create added economic value depends on achieving high rates of economic profitability. Because in the analysed period there were major variations of the macroeconomic indicators, we performed a second regression analysis which indicated that the economic growth rate positively influences the two rates of return.
Different approaches to religion education have been in place for a long time or developed more recently to meet growing religious and cultural plurality in European countries and schools. In this article, I summarise and discuss basic principles for a study-of-religion(s) approach to religion education, adding arguments and perspectives from critical theories about education in general. I shall also argue that national curricula for, respectively, religion education in Sweden and History in Denmark indicate that analytical-critical skills can be a central part of religion education in elementary and lower secondary public schools. The structure of the article is based on a modified version of the ‘map of history’ developed by the scholar of education and history education Rosie Turner-Bisset who has formulated principles for teaching History in primary schools. The model will be used as a framework, for systematising and discussing key principles of a study-of-religions approach to religion education with reference to three categories: 1) attitudes, 2) skills and concepts, and 3) knowledge.
Abstract Venus should be the most Earth-like of all our planetary neighbours: its size, bulk composition and distance from the Sun are very similar to those of Earth. How and why did it all go wrong for Venus? What lessons can be learned about the life story of terrestrial planets in general, in this era of discovery of Earth-like exoplanets? Were the radically different evolutionary paths of Earth and Venus driven solely by distance from the Sun, or do internal dynamics, geological activity, volcanic outgassing and weathering also play an important part? EnVision is a proposed ESA Medium class mission designed to take Earth Observation technology to Venus to measure its current rate of geological activity, determine its geological history, and the origin and maintenance of its hostile atmosphere, to understand how Venus and Earth could have evolved so differently. EnVision will carry three instruments: the Venus Emission Mapper (VEM); the Subsurface Radar Sounder (SRS); and VenSAR, a world-leading European phased array synthetic aperture radar that is the subject of this article. VenSAR will obtain images at a range of spatial resolutions from 30 m regional coverage to 1 m images of selected areas; an improvement of two orders of magnitude on Magellan images; measure topography at 15 m resolution vertical and 60 m spatially from stereo and InSAR data; detect cm-scale change through differential InSAR, to characterise volcanic and tectonic activity, and estimate rates of weathering and surface alteration; and characterise of surface mechanical properties and weathering through multi-polar radar data. These data will be directly comparable with Earth Observation radar data, giving geoscientists unique access to an Earth-sized planet that has evolved on a radically different path to our own, offering new insights on the Earth-sized exoplanets across the galaxy.
Bužim je općina udaljena petnaestak kilometara sjeverozapadno od Gospića, čije se
područje u literaturi spominje od 11. stoljeća. U njezinom središtu sada se nalazi gradina
(ostatak utvrde) za koju nema točnih podataka kada je sagrađena, ali je poznato da su
njome vladali poznati lički velikaši do dolaska Osmanlija u Liku u 16. stoljeću. Kao
i drugdje u Hrvatskoj, narod se od osvajača nastojao spasiti skrivanjem u planinama i
špiljama koje je radi obrane dorađivao u prave podzemne utvrde. Na području Bužima
speleolozi su istražili špilju Vrbas, Špilju ispod gradine i špilju Kalvariju. Nažalost, špilje
još nisu istražili povjesničari i arheolozi pa o njima zasad postoje samo podaci do kojih su
došli speleolozi u svojim speleološkim istraživanjima.
Posebna zanimljivost tih špilja su građevinski zahvati u njima, odnosno gradnja
zidova koji su nepoželjnim ljudima sprječavali prodor u dublji dio špilje.
Language and Literature, History of Central Europe