Are they different?A comparative study of European populist party members

Party membership is in decline across the established democracies, but populist parties appear to be reversing this trend. The expansion of populist parties’ membership base raises the question whether these parties are fulfilling their role as actors who serve as a “corrective to democracy” by mobilizing the socially and politically marginalized to become politically active. Using large comparative datasets from the European Social Survey and the World Values Survey, we examine the characteristics of populist party members in terms of their socio-demographic background and their political attitudes. We show that, with the exceptions of income levels and church attendance, the members of populist and non-populist parties look very much alike and hold similar political attitudes. These findings imply that mobilizing the politically disaffected remains a challenge, even for populist actors.

The Analysis of Residential Rooftop PV in Indonesia’s Electricity Market

This study aimed to examine the customer interest in using rooftop PV considering the economic background and customer profile in Indonesia’s electricity market using primary survey data with potential and existing (households and industries) respondents. This research uses logit model regression to analyze the impact of the demographic background of respondents and uses exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to understand the reasons why the existing users utilize rooftop PV at their homes. The results show that education, residence location, and income can positively and significantly affect the probability of using rooftop PV as the source of electricity. Then, there are several factors that influence the use of rooftop PV, such as easily finding it in their area, having concern for the environment, following trends, and loyalty. Some disadvantages of installing rooftop PV are felt by users, such as relatively high installation cost and frequent overheating during usage. Regarding customer satisfaction, most of the respondents from both households and industries answered that they were satisfied with their rooftop’s PV. Consumers say that the benefits they obtain are comparable to the required installation costs, and the majority of consumers also said that the rooftop PV worked well and did not need many repairs every month, so consumers did not need to spend significant money on it.

A Survey of Hesitancy and Response to the COVID-19 Vaccine Among Patients With Epilepsy in Northeast China

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the hesitancy and response of people with epilepsy (PWE) to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.Methods: We conducted an online survey among PWE in northeast China about hesitancy and response to the COVID-19 vaccine. Their demographic background and symptomatic data about epilepsy were also recorded, and we analyzed the epilepsy-related risk factors in delaying the vaccine.Results: In total, 357 patients with confirmed epilepsy were included in the survey, and only 38 (11%) patients received the COVID-19 vaccine. Fear of aggravating epilepsy (58%, n = 185), discouragement from health workers for epilepsy (22%, n = 70), and fear of patients of other unknown serious side effects (13%, n = 42) were the main reasons for delaying vaccination. A higher seizure frequency was the only epilepsy-related risk factor in delaying the vaccine (OR = 1.104, 95% CI: 0.988–1.233). None of the vaccinated patients reported that the vaccine aggravated their epilepsy.Significance: Understanding concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine among PWE could help to improve health education and promote the establishment of an immune barrier.

Exploring Extrinsic and Intrinsic Work Values of British Ethnic Minorities: The Roles of Demographic Background, Job Characteristics and Immigrant Generation

Despite the increasingly diverse ethnic composition of the British labor force, there is no research investigating whether ethnic minorities have different work values from the White British demographic (White British). Using nationally representative data (2012–2013), this article fills this gap by comparing extrinsic and intrinsic work values between White British and five ethnic minorities, while distinguishing between first and second generations. The results show that both first- and second- generation minorities have stronger extrinsic work values than White British, but the ethnic differences are more pronounced for the second generations. Compared to White British, while first-generation minorities have weaker intrinsic work values, the second generations have stronger intrinsic work values. Differences in extrinsic work values are partly explained by differences in age, education and income, while differences in intrinsic work values are largely explained by age, education and job autonomy. These results hold significant implications for understanding the career choices of ethnic minorities and labor market outcomes.

What are the Determinants of Public Support for Climate Policies? A Review of the Empirical Literature

Climate change is one of the most challenging problems of our times. To be effective, climate policies need to receive citizens’ approval. The objective of this article is to examine both the extent of individuals’ support for different climate policies and key determinants of policy support. To this end, an overview of the related empirical literature is provided. The article shows that the empirical literature on public climate policy support is very diverse in terms of concepts, measures of policy support and empirical approaches. Moreover, the bulk of the existing empirical literature has a strong U.S. focus. The article concludes that public support for climate policies is rather a matter of climate change beliefs and party identification, and not primarily a question of socio-demographic background. The article also offers suggestions for future research as well as policy recommendations.

Investigating the Impacts of Smoking and Exercise History on the Recovery Course among Covid-19 Patients

Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of exercise and smoking history of the COVID-19 patients on their recovery course and time. Methods: In this respect, as the data source, we observed a total of 310 patients, 176 males 134 females, who tested positive for COVID-19, had no chronic disease, and received inpatient or outpatient treatment. The patients also filled out a personal information form covering their demographic background, including smoking and exercise history. All participants received favipiravir as the standard medication, and their symptoms and the durations of these symptoms were evaluated using the focus group interview method. We analyzed the data on SPSS 17.0 utilizing Independent T-Test, one-way ANOVA, Chi-Square, and Pearson Correlation tests. Results: The results revealed significant differences between former smokers and those who never smoked and quitted smoking by recovery time (p<0.01). There were also significant differences between those doing exercises actively and those who never did or quitted exercise (p<0.01). Again, with regard to recovery time, we found significant differences between groups that quitted exercise in different periods (p<0.05) and between those with different weights (p<0.05). In addition, we reached smoking cessation time and exercise history had positive relationships with recovery time. Conclusion: Considering the results, we concluded that non-smoking and exercise had a positive impact on avoiding adverse effects of the COVID-19 disease. Keywords: Covid-19, exercise, smoking, sports, acute respiratory syndrome

Demographic and Psychographic Factors of Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Importance of Technology Confidence

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented situation in which physical distancing and “stay at home” orders have increased the pressures for social isolation. Critically, certain demographic factors have been linked to increased feelings of isolation and loneliness. These at-risk groups for social isolation may be disproportionately affected by the changes and restrictions that have been implemented to prevent viral spread. In our analysis, we sought to evaluate if perceived feelings of social isolation, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was related to demographic and technology-related psychographic characteristics. Older adults across Canada were surveyed about their demographic background, their feelings concerning confidence and proficiency in technology use, and how frequently they have felt isolated during the pandemic. In total 927 responses from Canadians over 65 years old, of varying demographic characteristics were collected. Our data shows that many older adults are feeling isolated “Often” or “Some of the time” in 2020, regardless of most demographic factors that have been previously associated with increased isolation risk. However, feelings of proficiency in using technology was an important factor affecting feelings of isolation. Given that technology proficiency is a modifiable factor, and remained significant after adjustment for demographic factors, future efforts to reduce social isolation should consider training programs for older adults to improve technology confidence, especially in an increasingly digital world.

Factors contributing to urinary aflatoxin M1 occurrence among residents in Hulu Langat district, Malaysia

Introduction: Chronic exposure to aflatoxin can lead to complications such as liver failure and cancer. There are many factors that affect aflatoxin occurrence. This study aimed to assess the association between sociodemographic factors and the knowledge, attitude and practice towards aflatoxin with urinary aflatoxin M1 occurrence among residents in Hulu Langat district, Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among healthy Malaysian adults aged 18 to 60 years residing in Hulu Langat district, Malaysia. Socio-demographic background and the knowledge, attitude and practice of respondents towards aflatoxin were assessed through questionnaires. Non-fasting urine sample (15 ml) was collected in the morning and urinary aflatoxin M1 level was quantified. Results: Of the 444 healthy Malaysian adults, 199 urine samples were detected with aflatoxin M1. From 37 positive samples with aflatoxin M1 level above detection limit (0.64 ng/ml), mean value was 1.23±0.91 ng/ml (range = 0.65-5.34 ng/ml). Urinary aflatoxin M1 occurrence was significantly different across ethnicity, age group, monthly household income, attitude and practice towards aflatoxin. Binomial logistic regression confirmed ethnicity and monthly household income as factors contributing to urinary aflatoxin M1 occurrence. Chinese were 3.20 times more likely to have aflatoxin exposure than non-Chinese. Detected urinary aflatoxin M1 was more common among household with a monthly income above RM1,500. Conclusion: The results provided an insight to explain the variation in aflatoxin occurrence among the population.

Understanding risks of refractive error among Chinese children amidst pandemic disruptions: results from a rapid survey

Background Despite effectiveness in delaying the spread of the pandemic, frequent and extended disruption to children’s livelihoods have fomented new norms in which learning routines encounter immense change. In particular, increased sedentary e-learning engagement with electronic screens and exposure to stressful circumstances are likely to pose adverse risks for children’s vision development. Methods This present study examines the link between near-sighted refractive error, and sedentary exposure to electronic screens, psychosocial stress level, and outdoor activities. A Rapid Survey Methodology (RSM) design was utilized to collect information on subject’s vision condition, sedentary electronic screen use, and level of psychosocial stress, in addition to detailed socio-demographic background characteristics. Results This study involves 2234 subjects enrolled in 1st to 6th grade in primary schools. Every 1 diopter hour increase in electronic screen use per day is associated with 1.036 OR (95% CI =1.024–1.047, p-value< 0.050), while every 1 h • W m− 2 sr− 1 of illuminance-weighted electronic screen use per day is associated with 2.285 OR (95% CI =1.829–2.855, p-value< 0.050) increased likelihood of near-sighted refractive error. Higher level of psychosocial stress is associated with 2.441 OR (95% CI =1.870–3.187, p-value< 0.050) and 2.403 OR (95% CI =1.839–3.141, p-value< 0.050) increased likelihood of near-sighted refractive error. Frequency of outdoor activity is not significantly associated with increased likelihood of near-sighted refractive error (p-value> 0.050). Conclusions Findings in this study show that many factors, including grade level and prior vision condition, contribute to increased risks of near-sighted refractive error during the COVID-19 pandemic. More strikingly, pandemic-related behavioral modifications such as lengthy sedentary electronic screen use and elevated levels of psychosocial stress are two critical channels affecting children’s eye health.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING IN KIDS WITH ASD

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which highly affects the sensory integration, behavior and social skills of a child. In this project, social skills were evaluated. The objective of the study is to find out whether social skills are addressed to enhance the quality of life and socialization and its success in the client return to society. A different subject prospective, experimental, flexible pre-and-posttest for intervention design followed by descriptive analysis with questionnaire has been used for the purpose of this study. The social skills inventory and Autism treatment and evaluation checklist was main outcome measure. 12 patients with affected social skills shared similar demographic background with post social skills from 5 to 10 years with mean age of 6 years. Paired t-test showed significance difference (p<0.05) improve in work skill in pre-post social skills training. 94% clients who completed the program returned to work and switched over to different social areas, social norms and social age.