A systematic review of evidence-based aftercare for older adults following self-harm

Objective: Self-harm is closely associated with suicide in older adults and may provide opportunity to intervene to prevent suicide. This study aimed to systematically review recent evidence for three components of aftercare for older adults: (1) referral pathways, (2) assessment tools and safety planning approaches and (3) engagement and intervention strategies. Methods: Databases PubMed, Medline, PsychINFO, Embase and CINAHL were searched from January 2010 to 10 July 2021 by two reviewers. Empirical studies reporting aftercare interventions for older adults (aged 60+) following self-harm (including with suicidal intent) were included. Full text of articles with abstracts meeting inclusion criteria were obtained and independently reviewed by three authors to determine final studies for review. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed level of evidence (Oxford) and quality ratings (Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for quantitative and Attree and Milton checklist for qualitative studies), working independently. Results: Twenty studies were reviewed (15 quantitative; 5 qualitative). Levels of evidence were low (3, 4), and quality ratings of quantitative studies variable, although qualitative studies rated highly. Most studies of referral pathways were observational and demonstrated marked variation with no clear guidelines or imperatives for community psychiatric follow-up. Of four screening tools evaluated, three were suicide-specific and one screened for depression. An evidence-informed approach to safety planning was described using cases. Strategies for aftercare engagement and intervention included two multifaceted approaches, psychotherapy and qualitative insights from older people who self-harmed, carers and clinicians. The qualitative studies identified targets for improved aftercare engagement, focused on individual context, experiences and needs. Conclusion: Dedicated older-adult aftercare interventions with a multifaceted, assertive follow-up approach accompanied by systemic change show promise but require further evaluation. Research is needed to explore the utility of needs assessment compared to screening and evaluate efficacy of safety planning and psychotherapeutic approaches.

Assessment of the business environment for doing business in Côte d'ivoire

The economy of the African country Côte d'Ivoire can be characterized as rather dynamic and turbulent: a number of macroeconomic indicators are characterized by high values, but the country is still facing a huge number of socio-economic and political problems that do not allow business to develop effectively in the country. The article presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of the Côte d'Ivoire business environment for business development. The study covers and reveals the position of Côte d'Ivoire in international rankings such as Doingbusiness, Global Competitiveness Index, Transparency International, Political Rights Index, Heritage Foundation, Global Innovation Index. The positions of Côte d'Ivoire in these ratings are considered in detail and the country's problems associated with improving the business climate and business environment are highlighted.

Impact of Labor Mobility on Economic Growth: A Comparative Study between Egypt and Vietnam

This paper will discuss how labor mobility accelerates economic growth based on a comparative study between Egypt and Vietnam during the period of 2009 to 2019 from the Index of Economic Freedom. This paper is based on analyzing the four main pillars of economic freedom. Using the Heritage Foundation to assess the labor mobility in both Egypt and Vietnam, both countries were considered as mostly unfree with an overall score of 52.5% with a world rank of 144 and an overall score of 55.3% with a world rank of 128, respectively. Lastly, this paper will investigate, propose, and recommend ways for Vietnam and Egypt to accelerate their growths via restructuring the labor market during the period of 2008 till 2018.

Subalterns and 'ghosts' behind Kiepert’s maps of the Anatolian peninsula (1830s–1890s)

Although they are discussed less frequently than his maps of the Balkans, Heinrich Kiepert's maps of Anatolia, and those of the Aegean coast in particular, nevertheless occupy a prominent place in his work. First published between the 1840s and the 1890s, Kiepert's maps reflect the way in which the German “classical Orient” depicted by Said (Said, 1978) became increasingly "real" over the years and emerged as a target for strategic and imperialist penetration. While their archaeological orientation tended to eclipse their ties to the German and Ottoman military, this analysis reveals how civil and military investigations were intertwined from the outset, and linked to a desire for national prestige. Based on the archives of the State Library in Berlin, the Secret State Archives of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Ottoman State Archives, this article aims to highlight the ambivalence and different facets of Heinrich Kiepert's cartographic project in Anatolia. The context of his work will be analyzed in order to understand the conditions under which his cartography was produced and the transimperial exchanges that shaped it.

Analysis of Eurasian Countries in Terms of Economic Freedom with Cluster Analysis

Governments in economically free societies; aim to increase the level of sustainable growth and prosperity of the country while allowing labor, capital, and products to move freely. To determine the economic freedom of the countries, it publishes indices by various independent institutions, and thus, their position in comparison to other countries is determined. Especially ın order to determine the group structure among countries that are close to each other in terms of regions; In addition to revealing the status of the region in terms of economic freedom, it is beneficial in terms of acting with similar countries for plans and determining policies. In the index called the Economic Freedom Index published annually by the Heritage Foundation, a ranking including the countries that are members of the United Nations is made. This index value is measured through variables based on 12 quantitative and qualitative factors divided into four broad categories of economic freedom. In this study in which 2021 data was used, cluster analysis, one of the multivariate statistical analysis techniques, was preferred to group countries. Findings from the analysis showed that Eurasian countries were divided into 4 different clusters according to the economic freedom index. Among the countries, the most striking country was North Korea. In the formation of this situation. It can be thought that it is due to the state's adoption of an excessively interventionist policy in the economic policies of the country.

Think tanks estadunidenses e a China: a crítica homogênea na administração Trump (2017-2020) | U.S. think tanks and China: the homogeneous critics in the Trump administration (2017-2020)

O artigo analisa a produção de think tanks (TTs) dos Estados Unidos (EUA), a dizer, o Council on Foreign Relations, The Asia Society e The Heritage Foundation, sobre a China e identifica interfaces com a política dos EUA para tal Estado sob o governo de Donald Trump (2017-2020). A pesquisa é feita a partir da análise de conteúdo de relatórios, com base em indicadores selecionados, e aponta para a homogeneidade de suas críticas e recomendações. Conclui-se que predomina o alinhamento entre os TTs e a administração Trump, em um contexto de consenso bipartidário sobre a adoção de medidas mais duras em relação à China.Palavras-chave: Estados Unidos; China; Think Tanks.ABSTRACTThe article analyses U.S.-based think tanks’ (TTs) production (Council on Foreign Relations, The Asia Society and The Heritage Foundation) about China and identifies similarities in it with U.S. China policy in Donald Trump’s administration (2017-2020). The research was conducted through content analysis of the TTs’ reports and articles, with guiding indexes, and highlights their homogeneous critics and recommendations. The article also points to the alignment between the selected TTs and the Trump administration in a broader scenario of bipartisan support regarding the adoption of tougher measures in U.S. China policy.Keywords: United States; China; Think Tanks. Recebido em: 27 mar. 2021 | Aceito em: 07 jul. 2021.

Exchange Rate Volatility, Currency Misalignment, and Risk of Recession in the Central and Eastern European Countries

This study is aimed at estimation of the exchange rate volatility and its impact on the business cycle fluctuations in four central and eastern European countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania). Exchange rate volatility is estimated with the EGARCH(1,1) model. It is found that exchange rate volatility is affected by the components of the Index of Economic Freedom from the Heritage Foundation, besides inflation and crisis developments. The empirical results using GMM estimation technique and comprehensive robustness checks suggest that exchange rate volatility reduces the risk of recession in the Czech Republic while the opposite effect is found for Hungary and Romania, with a neutrality for Poland. These findings continue to hold after controlling for the fiscal and monetary policy indicators. There is evidence that the RER undervaluation prevents sliding into a recession on a credible basis in Poland only, with a neutral stance for other countries. Except in Romania, higher levels of economic freedom is associated with worsening of the cyclical position of output. Among other results, stabilization policies in the recession imply fiscal tightening for the Czech Republic and Romania, higher money supply for the Czech Republic and Poland, and lower central bank reference rate for Hungary.

Supporting Indigenous adaptation in a changing climate

Indigenous peoples are both disproportionately threatened by global climate change and uniquely positioned to enhance local adaptive capacities. We identify actions that support Indigenous adaptation based on organizational and community perspectives. Our data come from two Indigenous organizations that share cultural heritage stewardship missions—the Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre (Stó:lō Nation, British Columbia) and the Fort Apache Heritage Foundation (White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona). These organizations collaborated with us in exploring community perceptions of climate effects, investigating community adaptation opportunities and constraints, and identifying actions that support Indigenous adaptation. Research methods included engagement with organizational collaborators and semi-structured interviews with organizational representatives and community members and staff. Results confirm that Stó:lō and Apache territories and communities have experienced climate change impacts, such as changes in temperature, hydrology, and increase in extreme weather events. Climate effects are cumulative to colonial depletion of traditional environments and further reduce access to traditional resources, practices, and food security. Results indicated that certain actions are identified by community members as adaptation enablers across case studies—most prominently, perpetuation of Indigenous culture and knowledge, climate education that is tailored to local contexts, collaborative decision-making among community institutions, and integration of climate adaptation into ongoing organizational programs. We conclude that Indigenous-owned organizations are engaged in the expansion of adaptive capacity and hold potential to further support their communities.

International Estimates of Russia’s Investment Image

Foreign direct investments are considered to be one of the drivers to stimulate Russian economic development. Increase of funds is highly dependent on current investment image. This article covers different estimates of Russia’s investment image by international rating agencies and research institutes. Sovereign credit ratings are considered to be major indicators of investment image. Leading foreign rating agencies currently estimate Russian credit rating as attractive for investors. Russia has entrenched a credible and consistent policy framework that will deliver improved macroeconomic stability, reduce the impact of oil price volatility on the economy, and support increased resilience to external shocks. Fitch agency considers that Russia's strengthened policy mix, underpinned by a more flexible exchange rate, a strong commitment to inflation-targeting and a prudent fiscal strategy. However, the continued threat of sanctions' escalation will weigh on Russia's external financing flexibility, investment and growth prospects. Some agencies underline the drawbacks of Russia economic development. These drawbacks are dependence on oil and natural gas export, weak banking system, bad corporate management. Current Ratings of the economic development depend greatly on how long the pandemic and social distancing will take place and on the measures that are taken place for increasing economic activities. Section 2 reviews the major estimates of Russian investment climate by different international research institutes. This section shows that Index of economic freedom, developed by Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal is of topical interest to potential investors. Russia has improved the position in ranking of economic freedom, but some serious drawbacks still exist. Some ways to improve Russia’s investment image are being suggested in Section 3.