Defining Suicidal Thought and Behavior Phenotypes for Genetic Studies.

Background: Standardized definitions of suicidality phenotypes, including suicidal ideation (SI), attempt (SA), and death (SD) are a critical step towards improving understanding and comparison of results in suicide research. The complexity of suicidality contributes to heterogeneity in phenotype definitions, impeding evaluation of clinical and genetic risk factors across studies and efforts to combine samples within consortia. Here, we present expert and data-supported recommendations for defining suicidality and control phenotypes to facilitate merging current/legacy samples with definition variability and aid future sample creation. Methods: A subgroup of clinician researchers and experts from the Suicide Workgroup of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) reviewed existing PGC definitions for SI, SA, SD, and control groups and generated preliminary consensus guidelines for instrument-derived and international classification of disease (ICD) data. ICD lists were validated in two independent datasets (N = 9,151 and 12,394). Results: Recommendations are provided for evaluated instruments for SA and SI, emphasizing selection of lifetime measures phenotype-specific wording. Recommendations are also provided for defining SI and SD from ICD data. As the SA ICD definition is complex, SA code list recommendations were validated against instrument results with sensitivity (range = 15.4% to 80.6%), specificity (range = 67.6% to 97.4%), and positive predictive values (range = 0.59-0.93) reported. Conclusions: Best-practice guidelines are presented for the use of existing information to define SI/SA/SD in consortia research. These proposed definitions are expected to facilitate more homogeneous data aggregation for genetic and multisite studies. Future research should involve refinement, improved generalizability, and validation in diverse populations.

Challenges affecting migrant healthcare workers while adjusting to new healthcare environments: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Shifting demographics, an aging population, and increased healthcare needs contribute to the global healthcare worker shortage. Migrant Health Care Workers (MHCWs) are crucial contributors to reducing this shortage by moving from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) to high-income countries (HICs) for better opportunities. Economic factors and health workforce demand drive their migration, but they also face challenges adapting to a new country and new working environments. To effectively address these challenges, it is crucial to establish evidence-based policies. Failure to do so may result in the departure of Migrant Healthcare Workers (MHCWs) from host countries, thereby worsening the shortage of healthcare workers. AIM: To review and synthesize the barriers experienced by MHCWs as they adjust to a new country and their new foreign working environments. METHODOLOGY: We followed the PRISMA guidelines and conducted a search in the PubMed and Embase databases. We included cross-sectional studies published after the year 2000, addressing MHCWs from LMIC countries migrating to high-income countries, and published in English. We established a data extraction tool and used the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) to assess article quality based on predetermined categories. RESULTS: Through a targeted search, we identified fourteen articles. These articles covered 11,025 MHCWS from low- to medium-income countries, focusing on Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. Participants and respondents' rates were diverse ranging from 12% to 90%. Studies encompassed various healthcare roles and age ranges, mainly 25-45 years, with a significant female presence. Participants resided in host countries for 3-10 years on average. Results are categorized based on the Riverside Acculturation Stress Inventory (RASI) and expanded to include bureaucratic and employment barriers, Gender differences, Natives vs. non-natives, and orientation programs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize the importance of cultural competence training and tailored support for MHCWs integration and job satisfaction. Time spent in the new healthcare setting and the influence of orientation programs are key factors in shaping their intentions to stay or leave. Despite limitations, these studies provide valuable insights, emphasizing the ongoing need for holistic strategies to facilitate successful integration, ultimately benefiting healthcare systems and well-being for all stakeholders.

Integrating international Chinese visualization teaching and vocational skills training: leveraging attention-connectionist temporal classification models.

The teaching of Chinese as a second language has become increasingly crucial for promoting cross-cultural exchange and mutual learning worldwide. However, traditional approaches to international Chinese language teaching have limitations that hinder their effectiveness, such as outdated teaching materials, lack of qualified instructors, and limited access to learning facilities. To overcome these challenges, it is imperative to develop intelligent and visually engaging methods for teaching international Chinese language learners. In this article, we propose leveraging speech recognition technology within artificial intelligence to create an oral assistance platform that provides visualized pinyin-formatted feedback to learners. Additionally, this system can identify accent errors and provide vocational skills training to improve learners' communication abilities. To achieve this, we propose the Attention-Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) model, which utilizes a specific temporal convolutional neural network to capture the location information necessary for accurate speech recognition. Our experimental results demonstrate that this model outperforms similar approaches, with significant reductions in error rates for both validation and test sets, compared with the original Attention model, Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) is reduced by 0.67%. Overall, our proposed approach has significant potential for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of vocational skills training for international Chinese language learners.

Effect of nocturia in patients with different severity of obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the etiologies of nocturia. We analyzed polysomnography (PSG) results to determine correlated factors related to nocturia in OSA patients with different severity. Methods: Patients with suspected OSA were examined using PSG. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of nocturia. Nocturia was defined as a patient who needed to void at least once. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was employed to classify patients according to degrees of severity: AHI<5 events/h, 5 events/h≤AHI<15 events/h, 15 events/h≤AHI<30 events/h, and AHI≥30 events/h, defined as normal, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA, respectively. Demographic variables, PSG parameters, International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSSs), and quality of life scores due to urinary symptoms were analyzed. Results: In total 140 patients, 114 patients had OSA (48 had mild OSA; 34 had moderate OSA; and 32 had severe OSA) and 107 patients had nocturia. The total IPSS was significantly higher in nocturia patients in all groups except the group of severe OSA patients. With the increasing severity of OSA, more correlated factors related to nocturia were determined. In mild OSA patients, nocturia related to increased age (p=0.025), minimum arterial blood oxygenation saturation (p=0.046), and decreased AHI of non-rapid eye movement (p=0.047), AHI of total sleep time (p=0.010), and desaturation index (p=0.012). In moderate OSA patients, nocturia related to increased age (p<0.001), awake time (p=0.025), stage 1 sleep (p=0.033), and sleep latency (p=0.033), and decreased height (p=0.044), weight (p=0.025), and sleep efficiency (p=0.003). In severe OSA patients, nocturia related to increased weight (p=0.011), body mass index (p=0.009), awake time (p=0.008), stage 1 sleep (p=0.040), arousal number (p=0.030), arousal index (p=0.013), periodic limb movement number (p=0.013), and periodic limb movement index (p=0.004), and decreased baseline arterial blood oxygenation saturation (p=0.046). Conclusion: Our study revealed that there were more correlated factors related to nocturia with increasing severity of OSA. This study helps in clinical education and treatment for OSA patients with different severity.

Clinical trial trends over the last 5 years among the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations.

Purpose: Although the Americas and Europe have historically dominated the global research landscape, emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) have significantly increased their contributions in recent years. This article studies clinical trial trends in the BRICS nations between 2018 and 2022 and compares it with trends in the G7 nations (comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA, and the European Union). This will help stakeholders in planning drug development strategies. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and the World Bank database. An electronic search was done for the total number of trials registered between January 1, 2018, and March 15, 2023. Information was analyzed based on the year of registration, therapeutic area, type of intervention, sponsorship, and type of special population. The trial density indices (TDIs) were calculated based on population (Xi) and gross domestic product (GDP) (Yi) using author-derived formulae. Results: Altogether 2, 77, 536 trials from the BRICS and G7 were registered. China and the US had the most trials among the BRICS and G7, respectively. Between 2018 and 2022, the gap between the BRICS and G7 steadily reduced. The most common indication for clinical trials among the BRICS was cancer. Based on population, the TDI was the highest in China and the lowest in Russia. In proportion to the GDP, the TDI was maximum in Russia and minimum in India. Conclusion: There is a remarkable reduction in the gap in clinical trial trends between the BRICS and G7 nations. Among the BRICS, India and China are at the forefront in drug development. There is scope for improvement in trial density based on India's population and GDP. Stakeholders are likely to utilize the strengths of the BRICS as an attractive destination for investment in this area.

Music Therapists´ Job Satisfaction and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Five European Countries and Israel.

Studies on the job satisfaction of music therapists are needed for the growth of the profession and their findings may help to improve the well-being of practitioners. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to explore the levels of satisfaction of music therapists with their profession and to identify the factors influencing their job satisfaction in several countries where this topic is under researched (Israel, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Austria). Descriptive and inferential statistics of data obtained through an online survey of 439 practicing music therapists found the highest levels of job satisfaction were reported in Spain and the lowest levels were reported in Germany. We found significant correlations among job satisfaction, satisfaction with music therapy training, and satisfaction with the perceived status of the profession. Moreover, participants´ views on "what would need to change to improve their satisfaction" with their profession were divided into 3 categories (therapists-self, workplace, and country). Participants seemed to be highly satisfied with their profession, but less satisfied with interactions with other team members, and with the perceived status of the music therapy profession. There is an overarching need for all countries (including those where music therapy is legally established as a profession) to promote the profession inside and outside the practitioners´ work settings.

Crowdfunding for Complementary and Alternative Cancer Treatments in Tijuana, Mexico: Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative (CAM) cancer treatment is often expensive and not covered by insurance. As a result, many people turn to crowdfunding to access this treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the rationales of patients with cancer seeking CAM treatment abroad by looking specifically at crowdfunding campaigns to support CAM cancer treatment in Tijuana, Mexico. METHODS: We scraped the GoFundMe.com and GiveSendGo.com crowdfunding platforms for campaigns referencing CAM cancer clinics in Tijuana, initiated between January 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. The authors created a coding framework to identify rationales for seeking CAM treatment in Tijuana. To supplement campaign metadata, we coded the beneficiary's cancer stage, type, age, specific treatment sought, whether the beneficiary died, gender, and race. RESULTS: Patients sought CAM cancer treatment in Tijuana because the (1) treatment offers the greatest efficacy (29.9%); (2) treatment offered domestically was not curative (23.2%); (3) the clinic treats the whole person, and addresses the spiritual dimension of the person (20.1%); (4) treatments are nontoxic, natural, or less invasive (18.2%); and (5) clinic offers the newest technology (8.5%). Campaigns raised US $5,275,268.37 and most campaign beneficiaries were women (69.7%) or White individuals (71.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These campaigns spread problematic misinformation about the likely efficacy of CAM treatments, funnel money and endorsements to CAM clinics in Tijuana, and leave many campaigners short of the money needed to pay for CAM treatments while costing beneficiaries and their loved one's time, privacy, and dignity. This study affirms that Tijuana, Mexico, is a very popular destination for CAM cancer treatment.

Emergent Pragmatic Conventions in Spoken ELF Corpus Data: Micro-Diachronic Analysis of Inclusive vs. Exclusive Multilingual Practices.

This article examines multilingual practices as an example of emergent pragmatic conventions in three Transient International Groups (TIGs) using spoken English as a lingua franca (ELF) from the Vienna-Oxford International Corpus of English (VOICE). The analysis combines principles of corpus linguistics and conversation analysis by adopting a new approach for the micro-diachronic analysis of spoken interaction. Quantitative and qualitative evidence and micro-diachronic visualizations of VOICE transcripts show how the three groups examined interactively develop group-specific multilingual practices. The analysis reveals that the three groups have different preferences in this respect. While two groups develop inclusive multilingual practices in the course of their interaction, one group shows a tendency to use multilingual practices exclusively, primarily in side sequences. In addition to multilingual use, the presence or absence of metalinguistic discussions about language (and languages) plays a role for creation of shared transcultural territory and the formation of group identity. These processes are indicative of how unacquainted multilingual speakers negotiate and develop pragmatic conventions more generally.

Desiccated Cyanobacteria Serve As Efficient Plasmid DNA Carriers in Space Flight.

Effective transport of biological systems as cargo during space travel is a critical requirement to use synthetic biology and biomanufacturing in outer space. Bioproduction using microbes will drive the extent to which many human needs can be met in environments with limited resources. Vast repositories of biological parts and strains are available to meet this need, but their on-site availability requires effective transport. Here, we explore an approach that allows DNA plasmids, ubiquitous synthetic biology parts, to be safely transported to the International Space Station and back to the Kennedy Space Center without low-temperature or cryogenic stowage. Our approach relied on the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PC73102, which is naturally tolerant to prolonged desiccation. Desiccated N. punctiforme was able to carry the non-native pSCR119 plasmid as intracellular cargo safely to space and back. Upon return to the laboratory, the extracted plasmid showed no DNA damage or additional mutations and could be used as intended to transform the model synbio host Escherichia coli to bestow kanamycin resistance. This proof-of-concept study provides the foundation for a ruggedized transport host for DNA to environments where there is a need to reduce equipment and infrastructure for biological parts stowage and storage.

Telemedicine as a counselling tool for nurses in Central Africa.

AIM: Compare the use and trend of a telemedicine tool for clinical advice among nurses and other Cameroonian healthcare providers and explore its feasibility and accessibility. DESIGN: A comparative observational descriptive study. METHODS: The sample includes all telemedicine users who request advice from volunteer medical specialists in Spain on clinical cases through the telemedicine tool "diagnosis assistance" (DA). It consisted of a total of 296 Cameroonian health professionals (59% women), of whom 77 were nurses. The variables in which the trend was explored (2013-2022) were DAs entered by nurses versus other healthcare professionals, compared by primary specialty, comments and documents attached. Feasibility and accessibility were explored through an anonymous survey. RESULTS: There were 2527 DAs between 2013 and 2022, of which nurses introduced 68%. There is an increasing trend in the nurse/other healthcare providers ratio, with significant differences in the chi-square of the linear trend between 2015 and 2022 (χ2 = 395.05; df = 7; p < .001). The probability that a DA was requested by nurses (PR >1) was observed in all years except for 2014, 2018 and 2019. The most tele-counselling requested by nurses was in the specialties of internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, and dermatology. The exchange of comments and attachments was mainly conducted among nurses (74.9% and 50.4%, respectively). The users surveyed considered the tool valuable for diagnosis, applicable, with limitations due to cost, Internet quality or lack of time and effective at reducing hospital referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine for clinical advice has been used mostly and with increasing tendency by nurses, mainly in internal medicine, gynaecology and dermatology, being a useful and feasible resource that can contribute to improving clinical decision-making by African nurses. IMPACT: The study addressed the problem of the shortage of health professionals in Central Africa and the search for alternatives that facilitate decision-making in this context. Tele-counselling tools through digital platforms that put Spanish specialists in contact with health professionals in Central Africa are mostly used by nurses working in rural health centres with a growing trend in their use. The research allows us to determine that tele-counselling tools constitute a well-accepted resource, which has a positive impact in environments with a shortage of human health resources, favouring the safety of both the nursing professional, through support in decision-making, and the populations to whom they provide care, who benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to their processes. REPORTING METHOD: The study has adhered to STROBE guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Microbial culture collections: Stanley Morris Martin, the first international conference (Ottawa 1962), and beyond.

Culture collections originated in the 19th century, but it was not until 1962 that the first international conference was held at the National Research Council in Ottawa, Canada. Microbes-like epidemics-know no borders. Collectors were concerned with public health as well as science. For the 1962 meeting, 266 scientists came from 25 countries. They recommended a special section for collections within the International Association of Microbiological Societies. By 1970, it became the World Federation of Culture Collections, which still coordinates collections worldwide. Canadian microbiologist Stanley Morris Martin (1920-2007) who had handled local arrangements for the Ottawa meeting became the inaugural president, serving from 1970 to 1976. Originally an expert on enzymes, Martin embraced his role within the international network and championed peaceful uses of microbes and the establishment of collections in developing countries. But after his retirement, he seemed to disappear. Drawing upon scientific contributions, newspapers, and interviews, this article explores the conference, its programme, challenges, and legacy. It also tracks the long-forgotten career of Stanley Martin.

Occupations and the risk of buccal mucosa cancer in Indian men: A multi-centre case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between lifetime occupational history and risk of buccal mucosa cancer (BMC). METHODS: We utilized a multi-centric, hospital-based case-control study across five centres of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India. Cases included men aged 20-75-years with histological confirmed primary cancer of the buccal mucosa. Visitor controls were frequency matched to cases for age (10 years interval) and current residential zone. Study participants were interviewed face-to-face. Logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among ever employed males, we identified 1969 BMC cases and 2145 controls. We observed an increased risk of BMC in 'Craft and Related Trades Workers' (OR 1.37; 95 % CI 1.13-1.65), 'Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers' (OR: 1.26; 95 % CI 1.01-1.56), and 'Elementary Occupations' (OR:1.33; 95 % CI 1.12-1.58). More specifically, the increased risk was observed for 'Metal, Machinery and Related Trades Workers', 'Handicraft and Printing Workers', 'Drivers and Mobile Plant Operators', and 'Laborers in Mining, Construction, Manufacturing and Transport'. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that certain occupations may be at a higher risk of BMC. Some fraction of BMC can be prevented by reducing exposure to hazardous agents used in these occupations. Further research is needed to identify which exposures are responsible for the increased risk. Moreover, tobacco control and early detection activities can be focused towards these occupations as tobacco consumption is also high in them, which may also be the reason for increased risk observed in these groups.

Power Has Pitfalls: (In)accuracy of Administrative Data for Nonoperative Management of Appendicitis.

INTRODUCTION: Nonoperative management (NOM) of uncomplicated appendicitis is increasingly common. Effectiveness of NOM has been studied by identifying patients via International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9/ICD-10 codes for uncomplicated appendicitis and no code for appendectomy. We sought to assess the accuracy of such administrative definitions. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with ICD-9/ICD-10 codes for appendicitis at five sites across the United States. Initial management plan and clinical severity were recorded by trained abstractors. We identified a gold standard cohort of patients with surgeon-diagnosed uncomplicated appendicitis and planned NOM. We defined two administrative cohorts with ICD-9/ICD-10 codes for uncomplicated appendicitis and either no surgery during initial admission (definition #1) or no surgery on day 0-1 of admission (definition #2). We compared each definition to the gold standard. RESULTS: Among 1224 patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, 72 (5.9%) underwent planned NOM. NOM patients were older (median [Q1-Q3] of 37 [27-56] versus 32 [25-44] y) and less frequently male (51.4% versus 54.9%), White (54.1% versus 67.6%), and privately insured (38.9% versus 50.2%) than patients managed operatively. Definition #1 had sensitivity of 0.81 and positive predictive value of 0.87 for NOM of uncomplicated appendicitis. Definition #2 had sensitivity of 0.83 and positive predictive value of 0.72. The gold standard cohort had a true failure/recurrence rate of 23.6%, compared with apparent rates of 25.4% and 39.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Administrative definitions are prone to misclassification in identifying planned NOM of uncomplicated appendicitis. This likely impacts outcomes in studies using administrative databases. Investigators should disclose how misclassification may affect results and select an administrative definition that optimally balances sensitivity and specificity for their research question.

Exploring Advances in Reproduction and Stem Cell Biology: Highlights from The 24th and 19th International Congresses in Iran.

The 24th and 19th International Congresses on Reproduction and Stem Cell Biology in the Islamic Republic of Iran brought together experts and researchers worldwide to explore the latest advancements in these fields. Different topics were discussed, including such as reproductive health, infertility treatments, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. This report provides a summary of the congress's key findings by emphasizing pioneer research and technologies that can influence the future of reproduction and stem cell biology programs. The presence of keynote speakers such as Professor Nicolas Rivron, Mohammad Ebrahim Parsanezhad, Ashraf Moini, Abbas Aflatoonian, Hadi Shafiee, Anna Brini, Omid Camron Farokhzad, and Jeffrey Schweitzer added value to the event, which had over 1100 participants from around the world. While foreign speakers were from various countries Iranian speakers mainly came from Tabriz, Isfahan, Shiraz, Babol, and Tehran that all discussed cutting-edge science and successful disease treatments. To ensure a more comprehensive representation, it is suggested that a wider geographic distribution of national and foreign speakers should be considered in future plan.

Factors influencing the research impact in cancer research: a collaboration and knowledge network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a major public health challenge globally. However, little is known about the evolution patterns of cancer research communities and the influencing factors of their research capacity and impact, which is affected not only by the social networks established through research collaboration but also by the knowledge networks in which the research projects are embedded. METHODS: The focus of this study was narrowed to a specific topic - 'synthetic lethality' - in cancer research. This field has seen vibrant growth and multidisciplinary collaboration in the past decade. Multi-level collaboration and knowledge networks were established and analysed on the basis of bibliometric data from 'synthetic lethality'-related cancer research papers. Negative binomial regression analysis was further applied to explore how node attributes within these networks, along with other potential factors, affected paper citations, which are widely accepted as proxies for assessing research capacity and impact. RESULTS: Our study revealed that the synthetic lethality-based cancer research field is characterized by a knowledge network with high integration, alongside a collaboration network exhibiting some clustering. We found significant correlations between certain factors and citation counts. Specifically, a leading status within the nation-level international collaboration network and industry involvement were both found to be significantly related to higher citations. In the individual-level collaboration networks, lead authors' degree centrality has an inverted U-shaped relationship with citations, while their structural holes exhibit a positive and significant effect. Within the knowledge network, however, only measures of structural holes have a positive and significant effect on the number of citations. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance cancer research capacity and impact, non-leading countries should take measures to enhance their international collaboration status. For early career researchers, increasing the number of collaborators seems to be more effective. University-industry cooperation should also be encouraged, enhancing the integration of human resources, technology, funding, research platforms and medical resources. Insights gained through this study also provide recommendations to researchers or administrators in designing future research directions from a knowledge network perspective. Focusing on unique issues especially interdisciplinary fields will improve output and influence their research work.

Public perceptions of international genetic information sharing for biomedical research in China: a case study of the social media debate on the article "A Pangenome Reference of 36 Chinese Populations" published in Nature.

BACKGROUND: The international disclosure of Chinese human genetic data continues to be a contentious issue in China, generating public debates in both traditional and social media channels. Concerns have intensified after Chinese scientists' research on pangenome data was published in the prestigious journal Nature. METHODS: This study scrutinized microblogs posted on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media site, in the two months immediately following the publication (June 14, 2023-August 21, 2023). Content analysis was conducted to assess the nature of public responses, justifications for positive or negative attitudes, and the users' overall knowledge of how Chinese human genetic information is regulated and managed in China. RESULTS: Weibo users displayed contrasting attitudes towards the article's public disclose of pangenome research data, with 18% positive, 64% negative, and 18% neutral. Positive attitudes came primarily from verified government and media accounts, which praised the publication. In contrast, negative attitudes originated from individual users who were concerned about national security and health risks and often believed that the researchers have betrayed China. The benefits of data sharing highlighted in the commentaries included advancements in disease research and scientific progress. Approximately 16% of the microblogs indicated that Weibo users had misunderstood existing regulations and laws governing data sharing and stewardship. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the predominantly negative public attitudes toward scientific data sharing established by our study, we recommend enhanced outreach by scientists and scientific institutions to increase the public understanding of developments in genetic research, international data sharing, and associated regulations. Additionally, governmental agencies can alleviate public fears and concerns by being more transparent about their security reviews of international collaborative research involving Chinese human genetic data and its cross-border transfer.

Exploring the interplay of English academic reading and writing proficiency among international doctoral students.

Academic English is discipline-specific and requires a high level of linguistic knowledge as well as expertise in respective fields. Therefore, doctoral students with limited exposure to academic English tend to face challenges in dealing with its demands, especially when they come from non-native English-speaking (NNES) backgrounds. At the doctoral level, research students are expected to work independently. Therefore, the ability to critically engage with academic materials written in English and the ability to write a dissertation in English at an expected standard play essential roles in successful PhD completion for students studying in international PhD programs where everything is conducted in English. This study investigates the relationship between English academic reading (EAR) and English academic writing (EAW) abilities among NNES doctoral students. We conducted a survey by employing a 1-6 Likert scale, following Dörnyei and Dewaele (2022), in the 2021-2022 academic year. A total of 255 international doctoral students studying in 65 PhD programs across Hungary voluntarily participated in the study. The students came from 49 countries and represented 48 mother tongues. The analysis revealed that students were positive about their abilities in both EAR and EAW, even though there was a significant gender difference at the p < 0.01 level. Additionally, students with the highest English proficiency level (C2) were found to be the most confident about their EAR and EAW abilities. The most junior students from 1st-year PhD programs were less confident about their abilities compared to their peers from 2nd, 3rd, 4th-year PhD programs. The analysis showed a significantly positive correlation between EAR and EAW (r = 0.792, p < 0.001). This study highlighted the inseparable role of EAR in fulfilling doctoral requirements and submitting a dissertation within a contracted PhD time framework, indicating the importance of targeted language support in facilitating academic progression within PhD programs.

Voters and the IMF: Experimental Evidence From European Crisis Countries.

IMF interventions are often associated with rising political discontent in countries where the Fund intervenes. Studies examining this relationship, however, face the challenge of disentangling the impact of the IMF from the impact of the crisis that triggered the intervention. To address this challenge, we conduct survey experiments in Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain and directly assess how voters evaluate the costs and benefits of an IMF intervention. We find that voters believe that the crisis will more likely be solved when the IMF intervenes, but they are also critical of the corresponding loss of national sovereignty. Because the former consideration, on average, dominates their assessment, IMF interventions increase the support of voters for unpopular economic policies. Nonetheless, cross-country differences suggest that continued public support for intervention hinges on the IMF's ability to deliver on its promise to help resolve the crisis.

International medical graduates as untapped resource for community health and wellness.

Objectives: This study examines the potential of International Medical Graduates (IMG) in contributing to the health and wellness of a community, particularly through transdisciplinary knowledge engagement or mobilization in diverse settings. We aimed to gather IMGs' perspectives on potential non-physician roles to enhance community health and wellness using a qualitative descriptive approach. Methods: Eight focus groups were conducted among IMGs in Canada between June and August 2020 (n = 42), followed by a thematic analysis of the verbatim transcripts. Two independent reviewers carried out inductive coding of the data. Emergent themes and sub-themes were identified. Through an iterative process incorporating insights from community partners, themes were refined to capture the lived experiences of IMGs in this context. Results: We sought to engage this population in discussions to capture their perspectives on contributions to health and wellness. Participants suggested various alternative contribution pathways such as knowledge mobilization, research generation, and supportive community roles. They also identified individual and systemic challenges. Finally, strategies for change were proposed on personal, professional, and organizational levels. Conclusion: The IMGs put forward various ideas and insights regarding their potential contributions to community health and wellness. They can be valuable assets in promoting health and improving health literacy. It is important to recognize that IMGs are eager to take on significant roles in the community and that they are currently an underused resource for enhancing community health and wellness.

International trends in prescribing extended wear soft contact lenses (2000-2023): An update.

PURPOSE: Extended wear has long been considered as the ultimate contact lens modality in terms of user convenience. The purpose of this work is to update earlier surveys by describing international trends in extended wear soft lens fitting between 2000 and 2023, inclusive. METHOD: An annual contact lens prescribing survey was sent to eye care practitioners in up to 71 countries between 2000 and 2023, inclusive. Data relating to 282,142 soft contact lens fits undertaken in 20 countries returning reliable longitudinal data were analysed in respect of extended wear soft lens fitting. RESULTS: Over the duration of the work there was a very small decrease in the prescribing of extended wear soft lenses (p < 0.0001). More detailed inspection shows that prescribing of these lenses steadily increased from 5.8 % of all soft lens fits in 2000 to 11.6 % in 2007, then steadily decreased to 5.2 % in 2023. Of all soft contact lenses prescribed to males, 9.2 % were fitted for extended wear, compared with 6.7 % for females (p < 0.0001). The mean age of extended wear soft lens wearers at fitting was 34.7 ± 14.7 years, compared to 31.1. ± 14.10 years for daily soft lens wearers (p < 0.0001). Analysis of 1,948 recent extended wear soft lens fits (2019-2023, inclusive), in terms of material type, revealed that, on average, 86 % and 14 % of extended wear soft lenses were fitted using silicone hydrogel and hydrogel materials, respectively. CONCLUSION: A modest increase in extended wear soft lens prescribing from 2000 to 2007 corresponded with the introduction of high oxygen transmissibility silicone hydrogel lenses. However, prescribing of this lens type declined thereafter, probably due to ongoing concerns over their increased rate of microbial keratitis, resulting in a prescribing rate in 2023 (5.2%) that was little different to that observed in 2000 (5.8%).