Investigating Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Vaccination through Hesitancy, Refusal, and Access Limitation: A Community-Based Survey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Vaccination plays a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination campaigns encounter obstacles, especially in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aimed at investigating the roles of vaccine hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers, while identifying individual-level factors associated with non-vaccination in Mbujimayi, DRC. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three health districts and included 1496 residents. Attitudes and behaviors related to seeking COVID-19 vaccination were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to assess factors potentially affecting non-compliance with vaccination. Results: Among participants (median age = 33, IQR = 23.3, M/F sex ratio = 0.7), 60% displayed misconceptions about COVID-19 or its vaccine, while only 35.2% perceived COVID-19 as a significant health threat. Vaccination coverage was estimated at 49.1% (95% CI: 47.5;52.6), with 71.8% of vaccinated individuals having received one dose. Among the unvaccinated individuals, 50.9% expressed no intention to be vaccinated in the future, citing hesitation (30.4%) or refusal (39.6%) mainly due to side effects or distrust of vaccines. Conversely, 32.7% of the unvaccinated persons expressed access barriers despite willingness to be vaccinated. Misconceptions about COVID-19 and its vaccines were the main drivers of vaccination non-compliance. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate significant vaccine non-compliance driven by hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers. Strategies to enhance vaccination coverage and pandemic preparedness should address misconceptions, sociodemographic barriers, and geographic disparities.

Abdominoplasty, Liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My Experience in This Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with Black African Women in a Low-Income Country

Background: In low-income African countries, the demand and use of plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are increasing. The goal of this work is to present my experience and the challenges of this aesthetic plastic surgery among black African women. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted about the abdominoplasties, liposuctions and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) which I operated in public and private hospitals at Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) in black African women. It covers a period of 13 years, going from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2023. For this study, I had at least 6 months period (to Juin 1, 2024) to assess the occurrence of early and late postoperative complications. Results: I performed 84 abdominoplasties, 144 liposuctions and 23 Brazilian butt lifts (BBL). The average age at the time of abdominoplasty was 44 years with extremes ranging from 26 to 55 years and a concentration of cases (60.7%) in the age group of 40 to 49 years. The age group of 20 to 29 years old represented the lowest rate of requests for abdominoplasty (4.7%). Patients with a BMI of 30 to 2 were the majority (61.9%), followed by those between 25 to 2 (29.7%). 67.8% of patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The average age at the time of liposuction was 41 years with extremes ranging from 21 years to 69 years;and more than half of cases (68%) in the age group between 30 and 49 years. As for Brazilian butt lift (BBL), the average age was 33 years with extremes ranging from 24 to 42 years and a concentration of patients (91.3%) between 20 and 39 years. The immediate postoperative complications of abdominoplasties observed were: seroma in 7% of cases, hematoma and partial infection of the surgical site in 5% of cases. Pathological scars (hypertrophic, keloid) after abdominoplasties were observed in 9% of cases. The most common complication of liposuction was contour deformity. I observed 16 patients (11.1%) with soft-tissue depressions or elevations, skin panniculus or folds. For Brazalian Butt Lift (BBL), complications like asymmetry for 2 patients (8.9%), contour irregularities for 2 patients (8.9%), and excessive fat removal for 6 patients (26%), had observed. I have not recorded any cases of death or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: I perform aesthetic plastic surgery procedures in black African women with a high socioeconomic standard of living compared to the average of the general population. The renunciation of planned surgery is motivated by the impossibility of paying the cost of the operation as well as by popular and religious perceptions regarding cosmetic surgery. The results of these aesthetic plastic surgery procedures carried out are very satisfactory for them. The challenges to overcome are mainly threefold: the unforeseeable complications of these cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, popular and religious perceptions of cosmetic surgery as well as the poverty of the population.

Health Safety of the Fish from the Luapula River in Democratic Republic of Congo

The Luapula River has received mining discharges from Lubumbashi and Kipushi Gecamines for several decades and from the CHEMAF company since 2005. It also received mining waste from SODIMICO. The Luapula River has Lake Banguelo as its source in Zambia and flows into Lake Moero, which is located on the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The objective of this study is to assess the health safety of the fish from the Luapula River. Fish samples were collected in August 2015 at the site of the locality of Kasenga located downstream of the mining activities (n = 14) and presumed to be polluted. On the other hand, reference fish samples were taken upstream of any mining activity of the Panda, Kasungwe and Congo Rivers at the sections located near their sources and presumed not to be polluted by mining wastes. (n = 11). Ten Metal Trace Elements (MTE) were assayed at the laboratory of the Congolese Control Office (OCC) of Lubumbashi and at the laboratory of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium using ICP-OES and ICP-MS. To assess and evaluate the health safety of fish from the Luapula River, the concentrations of fish samples from the Luapula River were compared with the concentrations of the reference fish samples from the Panda Kasungwe and Congo rivers by the Wilcoxon test. The concentrations of fish samples from the Congo River were also compared with the maximum acceptable metal trace element concentrations established by the FAO, WHO, EU (European Union) and other regulatory bodies. as reported by Akoto et al. The results of this study showed that the fish from the Luapula River is contaminated in Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb, and are not fit for human consumption. The results obtained will be brought to attention of the decision-makers of the Province of Haut-Katanga, so that measures can be taken to ban metallurgical factories to drump their mining wastes into waterways.

The Conflict between Individuals and Society in Seize the Day

This paper explores the existential problem in Seize the Day-the conflict between individuals and society in modern society.With a brief introduction of Saul Bellow and the novel,the paper emphasizes the analysis of the conflict and the sources of the conflict.Besides,Saul Bellow uses many rhetorical devices to intensify the conflict.The analysis of these rhetorical devices is beneficial for us to interpret and understand the true meaning of the novel.Through the study of Bellow’s vision and the novel’s metaphorical meaning,we may find an effective solution to the conflict that our human being is involved in,and realize the social values of this novel.

“社会”与Society的中英语义差别对比分析

翻译过程中,中英文同一组词的语义不对等问题引起语义学者兴趣,而高频互译的“社会”与society这组词在译者与读者视角下语义对等性极强,由此语义差别研究较少且研究空间较大。该文研究该组词的字典释义,对比探究两者的语义不对等性,归纳语义差别背后原因。研究发现,“社会”和society存在语义不对等;“社会”一词包含“社交”和“公共”两大含义,而society一词对应其中“社交”之意,表现出一定的不对等性。

Discussion on“School is Society”and Its Enlightenment to the Construction of University Environment

The principle of“school is society”indicates that controlling the environment is the only educational method.By transforming the school into a microcosm of society,we can cultivate individuals who possess a social spirit and adaptability,preparing them to thrive in real-world social situations.By analyzing the social performance of colleges and universities in terms of their training objectives for society,research concepts for the development of society,and service consciousness for the improvement of society,as well as the current demand for a proper connection with society,it can be found that taking“school is society”as the guiding ideology for the construction of the university environment tends to be simplified,purified,balanced,broadened,and provided with practical space.This will be beneficial to the development of higher education.

Combinations of Transportation Policies to Promote BRT Usage Using Artificial Society Model

Various transportation systems have been developed in recent years.In this study,an artificial society model is developed to examine the combination of transportation policies in urban areas.In this model,each trip maker selects the primary and terminal transportation modes.An artificial society model is applied to the southeastern region of Osaka City,Japan.The effects of introducing BRT(bus rapid transit,primary transportation)and on-demand buses(terminal transportation)are investigated.The results confirm that BRT is used by a certain number of users.An increase in the use of BRT will increase the amount of walking,thus resulting in a healthy city.However,on-demand buses are rarely used as terminal transportation.Additionally,the development of bicycle parking stations near BRT stops is shown to be effective in the northern section of the BRT route.

Hungry and Angry Society: Implications for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Hunger is a physiological need,but the production and consumption of adequate and balanced food is a function of social forces.At every point,social,political,and economic processes intervene,for better or(more common)for worse.Food is one fundamental need of human beings for survival.But in Nigeria there is widespread food shortage and hunger.Development scholars have put forward reasons why poverty,hunger persists in the country,from the platitudes about population growth,inadequate implementation of agricultural policies,and neglect of agriculture,bad leadership,corruption,and the issue of distribution.Nigeria is richly blessed with arable land and citizens eager to unlock its food potentials.Unfortunately,this is far from being realized as the country depends on foreign countries for food,a situation that is tragic and sad.She spends about$10 billion a year importing food and agricultural products,the majority of which are wheat,rice,poultry,fish,and consumer-oriented foods.The pressure on the exchange rate results in devaluation-triggered inflation and food costs that fly up beyond the grasp of people at the bottom of the ladder as it is now is one of the negative repercussions of high food importation bills.Examining the effects of hunger is one of this paper’s key concerns and goals,and anger crisis for achieving sustainable development in the country using the Frustration-Aggression Theory,The Relative Deprivation and Political Economy Approach as guide.

党的自我革命的基因生成与制度建构:基于新民主主义革命时期的阐释

新民主主义革命时期党的自我革命遵循了“革命”的基本原理和一般规律,是价值管理、组织变革、行动再造三个因素相互作用、良性互动的结果,也是实践和制度相互转化的结果。根据这一规律,可以从新的视角出发,建立党的自我革命的阐释性分析框架,并运用这一框架对新民主主义革命时期党的自我革命进行梳理和反思。新民主主义革命时期党在自我革命中形成的原创性、初始性制度安排和实践经验,对深入推进党的自我革命、建设长期执政的马克思主义政党具有奠基意义和示范价值。

ChatGPT在临床诊疗情境中的应用前景与潜在风险

以ChatGPT在临床诊疗情境中的应用为切入点,分析其介入临床诊疗可能带来的影响。分析结果发现,ChatGPT的应用有助于提升医疗服务质量、满足用户需求,但也存在数据安全与“幻觉风险”、缺乏情感感知能力、冲击现有医患互动范式的风险。需要从技术和社会两方面进行优化,既发挥技术对社会发展的促进作用,又发挥社会条件对技术运用的规制作用,以充分发挥ChatGPT在临床诊疗中的作用,并规避其潜在的风险。

中国式现代化进程中的城市群治理与创新

城市群是推动国家现代化的重要空间载体,在平衡人口流动和优化产业布局、协调区域公共服务资源和促进共同富裕、提高资源利用效率和区域生态环境保护、扩大民主参与和集体协商等方面卓有成效。基于中国式现代化具有人口规模巨大、全体人民共同富裕、物质文明和精神文明相协调、人与自然和谐共生等内涵特征,具有实现高质量发展、推动全过程人民民主等本质要求,未来城市群治理需要重点统筹人口流动、产业布局和公共服务,促进三者之间的动态平衡;加强城市群内部不同层次、不同领域和不同主体之间的多重利益关系调节;注重城市群文化集丛建设,满足居民日益增长的精神文化需要;以绿色发展为导向,积极建设“生态城市群”;加强培育城市群社会组织和居民的城市群意识,完善城市群民主治理机制。

治理现代化与政治民主化的互嵌——协商民主何以成为全过程人民民主的可操作化载体

全过程人民民主作为社会主义民主制度的本质,已经成为中国政治的价值规定,即政治民主化的中国议题;而协商民主则是其实现的具体形式,也是实现党的领导的具体形式,构成了治理的程序载体,即治理现代化的中国议题。本文从治理现代化与政治民主化的互嵌视角,讨论协商民主何以落地为全过程人民民主实际操作的载体,尝试提供一种新的中国式民主研究视角,即基于已经发生的协商民主案例,在一种可实际操作的程序与方法的载体上,把国家政策规定与社会具体实践结合起来,让理论与实践形成对话。谈到中国式民主的理论时,我们要有具体的操作方法;谈到操作方法时,我们要有具体的实践案例,把民主的钉子钉在中国社会治理现代化的问题之上,形成政治逻辑、理论逻辑、历史逻辑与实践逻辑具体融合的分析路径。

滕尼斯的习俗观及其自由张力

滕尼斯是在论题和概念上都非常接近民俗学及其经典范式的社会学家。按照滕尼斯的基本划分,共同体关系产生于自然形成的生存意志,社会关系产生于人为造成的抉择意志,于是,习俗与共同体似乎具有天然的依附关系。在他看来,Sitte(习俗)具有三方面的含义:一是指客观性质的简单事实,即习惯于做某事;二是指人自己给出的规则或规范;三是对某种意愿或意志的表达,这种含义最少得到关注却最值得关注。由生存意志产生的共同体及其习俗虽然有自由,却基本上是一种实体性自由或质料性自由,并非形式性自由。因而,个体意志要想自由,就必须从共同体以及习俗中脱颖而出,经历一场脱胎换骨式的涅槃重生,由此产生现代意义上的个体及其形式性自由。

近代中国大学教育学会论略

近代中国大学教育学会伴随教育学科的制度化而产生、发展,彰显“学科之会”面相。简洁高效的组织架构,专题研究、学术讲演、刊物发行等主要会务,展现出学术社团的应有风采。尽管大学教育学会的会员以教育院系学生为主体,折射出学科规训的张力,但作为教育学科建设、专业人才培养的有机组成部分,教育院系教师以及教育学人穿梭其中,或引领、或襄助、或鼓励大学教育学会学术研究活动的展开,实乃职责所在,从而形塑了师生共研的学术场景。大学教育学会成为聚集教育专业人员以及有志于研究教育者“坐而论道”“起而习行”的又一重要平台,不仅提升了会员的教育学术研究意识与研究能力,而且有益于大学教育系科的发展。

组织动员与联动治理:党建引领基层社会治理创新的实践机制——以陕西省S县“五同”工作法为例

在中国式现代化进程中,党建引领基层社会治理创新蕴含着组织动员与联动治理的意蕴,这是观察“中国之理”的重要维度。组织动员旨在激活党组织的政治功能和组织功能,形塑党建引领基层社会治理创新的动员机制。在结构维度上,组织动员依托政治势能健全组织结构,形成体系化动员;在行动维度上,它释放党建势能统合治理行动,促成引领型动员。治理有效离不开动员式治理,更需要联动式治理。基于党组织的制度优势,联动治理以其整合性力量构建党建引领基层社会治理创新的互动机制。从治理维度看,联动治理基于集成联结凝聚治理要素,展现要素化联动;从改革维度看,它通过多维互动平衡好秩序与活力,呈现责任型联动。作为中国特色的治理创新实践样态,组织动员、联动治理与共同缔造的行动理念和基本方略具有内在的一致性和高度耦合性,它们共同彰显中国共产党治国理政的生动图景和治理智慧,这对于促进制度优势更好地转化为治理效能具有启发性。

中国文化情境下价值感知对农户混农林低碳增汇措施采纳的影响

混农林是高效利用自然资源、减缓气候变化的生态农业模式,农户的混农林低碳增汇措施对其贡献“双碳”目标具有重要影响。基于陕南秦巴山区864份调研数据,运用多元Probit模型以及调节效应模型探讨中国文化情境下价值感知对农户混农林低碳增汇措施采纳的影响,并分析不同措施之间的关联效应以及社会权威的调节作用。结果表明:(1)农户的减少含碳要素投入与减少非合意产出、减少含碳要素投入与提高经营强度、减少含碳要素投入与加强森林保护以及提高经营强度与加强森林保护措施之间均存在互补效应;(2)功利感知对各低碳增汇措施均具有显著正向影响,合群感知对减少含碳要素投入具有显著正向影响,颜面感知对减少含碳要素投入和提高经营强度具有显著正向影响;(3)社会权威在合群感知、颜面感知与减少含碳要素投入,功利感知、颜面感知与提高经营强度,功利感知与加强森林保护的关系中起负向调节作用。建议政府从中国本土文化特征入手,激发农户响应“双碳”目标的内生力量,同时发挥不同措施与技术之间的协同效应,推动农林减排增汇的长效开展。

认知错误是如何发生的?——《枪炮、病菌与钢铁》研究人类发明案例的启示

人类文明的演进,与发明密切相关。对于发明,传统看法是人们的需要促成了发明的产生,换言之,“需要乃发明之母”。这一观点看去天经地义,似无问题。但贾雷德·戴蒙德(Jared Diamond)在《枪炮、病菌与钢铁》一书中,通过对众多发明案例的系统梳理与分析,却得出两个完全不同的认识:一,在众多发明案例中,因需要而产生的发明只占极少一部分,绝大部分发明并非因需要而产生,相反,而是发明催生了需要,即“发明常常是需要之母,而不是相反”。二,将发明归咎于某一天才人物即“英雄史观”往往是后世的杜撰,发明“不是靠孤立的英雄行为”,而是技术长期积累、发展的结果。

基层人大践行全过程人民民主的三重逻辑

作为践行全过程人民民主的行动主体,基层人大对推动全过程人民民主实践在基层社会落地生根具有重要意义。从“结构—过程”主义范式的研究进路出发,构建“价值—制度—行动”的分析框架,深入剖析基层人大与全过程人民民主的逻辑关联,为全面理解“为何践行”“何以践行”“如何践行”奠定了理论基础。在价值逻辑上,基层人大践行全过程人民民主实现代表和认同、参与和回应、立法和善治的统一,集中反映了全过程人民民主最广泛、最真实、最管用的民主价值特征。在制度逻辑上,人民代表大会制度和基层群众自治制度共同奠定了基层人大践行全过程人民民主的正当性基础。在行动逻辑上,基层人大践行全过程人民民主要通过具体实践将制度优势转化为行动效能,促进民意的持续性表达和基层治理效能的全面提升。新时代基层人大更要从人民本位、立法驱动、监督落实、技术赋能四个维度出发,共同优化自身践行全过程人民民主的实践路径。

以全政府和全社会方法推动生物多样性治理目标实现路径分析

《生物多样性公约》明确提出生物多样性保护、对生物多样性组分的可持续利用、遗传资源获取及其惠益的公平公正分享三大目标,《昆明-蒙特利尔全球生物多样性框架》进一步强调了平衡且全面实现此三项目标的重要性。近年来,伴随中国作为《生物多样性公约》第十五次缔约方大会(COP15)主席国的持续发力,“生物多样性治理”一词的使用频次逐步上升。习近平总书记更是在多个国际重要场合屡次重申中国将致力于强化“生物多样性治理”。在新的历史背景下,需要思考如何通过系统化的生物多样性治理,均衡地推进《生物多样性公约》设定的各项目标,以高水平的生物多样性保护助推高质量发展。针对当前生物多样性治理面临的新挑战和中国的实际国情,基于全政府和全社会方法,本文提出中国生物多样性治理的策略,包括在政府层面明确中央政府、地方政府及相关部门的各自职责,确保各项政策措施的有效执行;在社会层面,倡导科研机构、金融机构、企业、非政府组织、地方社区以及广大公众等多个主体,通过紧密的合作、信息的共享以及协同的行动,共同为生物多样性的治理与可持续发展的推进贡献力量。

数字化协同治理的研究进展与未来议程

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