How does national development zone policy affect carbon emissions in China? New evidence from a quasi-natural experiment.

The expansion of China's development zones has made great contributions to economic development, as well as provided practical guidance for other developing countries to implement development zone policies. However, in the context of global advocacy of low carbon, literature about how the development zone policy affect carbon emissions is poor, especially in China at the urban level. Therefore, this study takes China's development zone policy as a quasi-natural experiment, using the panel data of 285 cities in China from 2003 to 2020, and adopting the DID model to analyze its impact on carbon emissions. After a series of robustness tests including placebo test, dynamic test (all independent variables are lagged by one period), endogeneity test, and parallel trend test, the results are basically robust. The findings show that the development zone policy indeed significantly reduces carbon emissions. In addition, we find that cities with higher resource endowments, cities in the eastern and central regions, and other larger cities across the country have better carbon emissions reduction effects. To a certain extent, the research in this paper fills the gap of theoretical research on carbon emissions in terms of the development zone policy, and provides some practical basis for future research in the field of carbon emissions.

Coordination processes in partnerships between German governmental organizations and German sports federations in jointly implemented SDP projects.

Sports and physical activity are increasingly used as instruments of development policy. Within this field of sport for development and peace (SDP), one can observe a large number of partnerships between national governmental organizations and national sport federations. These are particularly important although these organizations pursue different core objectives with their SDP engagement. The aim of this qualitative study is to analyze how German governmental organizations and sports federations coordinate jointly managed SDP projects. Against the backdrop of systems theory, we conducted interviews with participants from relevant organizations. The qualitative content analysis revealed that inter-organizational coordination takes place partly in hierarchical and partly in network-based structures. The results show complex patterns between the participating organizations which gain varying degrees of influence on the SDP projects and seek to get specific resources through the cooperations. These should be taken into consideration when designing SDP projects to build stable cooperations that bring all the participating organizations an added value.

The role of micro- and small-scale enterprises in enhancing sustainable community livelihood: Tigray, Ethiopia.

Micro- and small-scale enterprises (MSEs) have emerged as one of the most important tools for addressing economic and social issues and achieving development goals. In both developed and developing economies, MSEs have been acknowledged as critical components of national development. This study aimed to assess the contributions of MSEs toward sustainable community livelihood in Emba Alaje, Wereda, Ethiopia. The results revealed that MSEs contributed to economic growth, employment formation, and income generation for the local community. In addition, the study indicated that the MSEs were significantly affected by different determinant factors such as infrastructures, raw material, working premises, and human capital. The study clearly showed that there was a gender gap over participation in different MSE sectors. In addition, many sectors which can employ more people are still managed by men. This shows that the bodies involved, such as the MSE Development Offices, Bureau of Cooperatives, and Bureau of Works and Social Affairs, should join their hands and allow women to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and urban farming. Above all, greater efforts should be made to consider both female- and male-owned businesses.

Development of the Chinese Haemovigilance Network and reporting of adverse transfusion reactions from 2018 to 2020.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To advance blood transfusion safety, the Chinese Haemovigilance Network (CHN) was put into operation in 2018. This report describes the development of the CHN and evaluates its role by analysing reported adverse transfusion reactions (ATRs) from 2018 to 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All data in this study were obtained from the CHN online reporting platform. A timeline of CHN development is presented, and the activities of CHN-enrolled facilities are analysed by year. The reported ATRs were analysed in detail for ATR types, blood components involved and adherence to case definition, severity and imputability criteria. Incidence rates were calculated and compared with international examples. RESULTS: During 2018-2020, a total of 3061 ATRs were reported through the CHN online reporting system. The rate of reported ATRs in all facilities and the 10 highest reporting facilities was 0.7‰ and 1.8‰, respectively. When analysed by year, the incidence rate showed an increasing trend from 2018 to 2020. Allergic (68.2%) and febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reaction (27.1%) were the most common. The vast majority of ATRs (92.0%) were not serious, but serious cases of transfusion-associated circulatory overload, transfusion-associated dyspnoea and hypotensive reaction were common. Most (86.0%) of reported cases were definitely or probably associated with transfusion. CONCLUSION: Under-reporting of ATRs occurs in many Chinese hospitals, but the establishment of CHN has increased ATR recognition and management. More effort will be needed in the future to detect transfusion problems and improve transfusion practice in China.

Impactful educational transitions: Crossroads for physiotherapy education in South Africa?

Background: Global changes in physiotherapy entry-level educational programmes to exit with a Doctorate or Master's degree have consequences if physiotherapy education, worldwide, is to remain professionally competitive. However, within the South African context, such global competitiveness should be carefully considered against the national healthcare needs and implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme, with a bigger emphasis on a skilled mid-level workforce, including physiotherapy technicians or community rehabilitation workers. Objectives: These competing interests are carefully considered, against the theoretical background of international DPT training; human resource and financial constraints in the South African healthcare sector; reforms of the South African health and educational sectors intended to address the inequalities of the past; the need for quality healthcare delivery and the professional reputation of physiotherapy in South Africa. Methods: A framework for physiotherapy education in South Africa, to move on from the current educational crossroads, is proposed through an integration of multiple theoretical perspectives. Results: The framework is based on the current challenges being experienced in physiotherapy education and healthcare service delivery, which could be addressed by changes in the education sphere. Conclusion: The baseline suggestions for (re)considering the current education environment for physiotherapy, as proposed in my article, are to ensure that the profession remains relevant and able to confront the current changes presented by the South African healthcare system, including the implementation of the NHI plan, whilst remaining globally aligned and competitive. Clinical implications: The suggested, reconsidered, educational framework for physiotherapy in South Africa could become pivotal in advancing the profession on both a national and international level, through further critical conversations.

Thoracic surgery in Spain.

In this manuscript, we briefly report on the Spanish health care system and the current situation of Thoracic Surgery in the country. Our surgical speciality is approached in terms of national spread of thoracic units, education, technological development, and other relevant aspects. Thoracic Surgery national workforce is also reviewed and compared to sister specialities. Prospects and authors' recommendations for development are included. Total cost of public health care expenditure in Spain represents 9% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the National Health System is included in the top ten more efficient systems in the World. Thoracic Surgery in Spain is an independent medical speciality. The access to training in accredited hospitals is uniformly regulated all around the country and represents the official and only route to certified medical specialization. 0.5 certified specialists in Thoracic Surgery per 100,000 habitants are working in the country, half of them being female in the age subset of 30-39. Currently, more than half of all anatomical resection in the country are performed via VATS. Seven centres are currently accredited by the Ministry of Health for lung transplantation, and the current rate of lung transplants is 7.1 per million of population. To note is the success of the non-heart-beating donors program developed in recent years. Three national professional and scientific societies are gathering most Spanish thoracic surgeons and promoting cooperative multidisciplinary studies on lung cancer and surgical techniques such are video-assisted and robotic lung resection. Implementing a national database of thoracic surgical procedures would be advisable to promote continuous clinical quality improvements.

Global Population Aging, National Development Level, and Vulnerability to the Pandemic.

PURPOSE: This study examined the roles of population aging and national development level in affecting different phases of novel coronavirus disease development with a view to advancing preparedness and corresponding policy. METHODS: Regression analysis was conducted using multisource data from the World Bank and Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard. RESULTS: Population aging is positively associated with confirmed cases of day-10, day-20, and day-30. The positive association between population aging and death does not emerge until day-20. Countries with a higher proportion of older males face higher risks of death.. Countries with a higher proportion of males aged 70-74 years are at the highest risk of confirmed cases. National development level is not associated with confirmed cases, but developing countries face significantly higher risks of death of day-10 and day-20. CONCLUSION: Prevention and control policies for older adults and underdeveloped areas and sex differences need to be studied.

SingHealth Radiology Archives pictorial essay Part 2: gastroenterology, musculoskeletal, and obstetrics and gynaecology cases.

The Singapore Health Services cluster (SingHealth) radiology film archives are a valuable repository of local radiological cases dating back to the 1950s. Some of the cases in the archives are of historical medical interest, i.e. cerebral angiography in the workup of patients with hemiplegia. Other cases are of historical social interest, being conditions seen during earlier stages of Singapore's development, i.e. bound feet. The archives form a unique portal into the development of local radiology as well as the national development of Singapore. A selection from the archives is published in commemoration of the International Day of Radiology in 2020, as well as the 200th anniversary of the Singapore General Hospital in 2021. This pictorial essay comprises gastroenterology, musculoskeletal and obstetrics and gynaecology cases from the archives.

Health in Seychelles - an overview.

Health in Seychelles has improved significantly over the past three decades, largely as a result of investment not only in the health services, but also in other social sectors that have direct impact on child survival and the health of individuals. Through different stages of the evolution of the health care system there have been close links between health policy and strategy, the overall national development efforts and the wider social and economic environment. Awareness of these links are useful in the understanding of current health issues such as the lifestyle related patterns of morbidity and mortality, characterised by non-communicable diseases and HIV/AIDS, the high demands for health care services, and evolving relationships between the public and private sectors.

SingHealth Radiology Archives pictorial essay Part 1: cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological cases.

The Singapore Health Services cluster (SingHealth) radiology film archives are a valuable repository of local radiological cases dating back to the 1950s. Some of the cases in the archives are of historical medical interest, i.e. cerebral angiography in the workup of patients with hemiplegia. Other cases are of historical social interest, being conditions seen during earlier stages of Singapore's development, i.e. bound feet. The archives form a unique portal into the development of local radiology as well as the national development of Singapore. A selection from the archives is published in 2020 in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the formation of SingHealth, the 55th National Day of Singapore, and the 125th anniversary of the International Day of Radiology. This pictorial essay comprises cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological cases from the archives.

Policy coherence to achieve the SDGs: using integrated simulation models to assess effective policies.

Coherently addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals requires planning tools that guide policy makers. Given the integrative nature of the SDGs, we believe that integrative modelling techniques are especially useful for this purpose. In this paper, we present and demonstrate the use of the new System Dynamics based iSDG family of models. We use a national model for Tanzania to analyse impacts of substantial investments in photovoltaic capacity. Our focus is on the impacts on three SDGs: SDG 3 on healthy lives and well-being, SDG 4 on education, and SDG 7 on energy. In our simulations, the investments in photovoltaics positively affect life expectancy, years of schooling and access to electricity. More importantly, the progress on these dimensions synergizes and leads to broader system-wide impacts. While this one national example illustrates the anticipated impact of an intervention in one specific area on several SDGs, the iSDG model can be used to support similar analyses for policies related to all the 17 SDGs, both individually and concurrently. We believe that integrated models such as the iSDG model can bring interlinks to the forefront and facilitate a shift to a discussion on development grounded in systems thinking.

Coconut oil and palm oil's role in nutrition, health and national development: A review.

Coconut and palm oils which were the major sources of dietary fats for centuries in most of West Africa have been branded as unhealthy highly saturated fats. Their consumption has been peddled to supposedly raise the level of blood cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. This adverse view has led to a reduction in their consumption in West Africa and they have been substituted for imported vegetable oils. Recent information however, indicates some beneficial effects of these oils particularly their roles in nutrition, health and national development. There is the need for a better understanding of their effects on health, nutritional status and national development. This paper therefore attempts to review the roles which coconut and palm oils play in these respects in developing countries, as a means of advocating for a return to their use in local diets. FUNDING: None declared.

O complexo econômico-industrial da saúde: elementos para uma articulação virtuosa entre saúde e desenvolvimento / The health industrial complex: elements for a virtuous link between health and development

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo foi aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a dinâmica de inovação em saúde e os interesses sanitários e econômicos relacionados a ela. Para tal, baseia se em um conceito mais amplo da saúde que a situa no cerne da agenda de desenvolvimento nacional. Portanto, parte da caracterização e análise do Complexo Econômico-Industrial da Saúde, e apontam-se os principais desafios para uma articulação virtuosa entre as variáveis sociais e econômicas da saúde.

ABSTRACT This paper aimed at further investigating the dynamics of health innovation and the social and economic interests in its wake. For such, it was based on a broader concept of health that emphasizes it as an important protagonist within the national development agenda. Thus, it stems from the characterization and analysis of the Health Industrial Complex, and it points out the main challenges with respect to a virtuous joint between the social and economic variables of health within the broader development agenda.