Women’s empowerment and food consumption:Evidence from female-headed households in Tanzania

Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.

The Three Principles of Institutional Safeguards for Women's Participation in Legislation in China

The participation of women in legislation is an important aspect and means of safeguarding women’s rights.Feminist theory,based on criticism of both the“citizenship identity theory as rights”and the“citizenship identity theory as responsibilities,”proposes the“citizenship identity theory as subjectivity.”Observing the current practice of women’s participation in legislation in China,two institutional safeguard principles can be summarized:the“minimum proportion”and the“influence evaluation.”However,each of these principles has its inherent limitations.Therefore,it is necessary to supplement them with the principle of“subjective participation”in a reflective manner.This principle requires women to participate substantively in the legislative process as subjects,express women’s needs and demands,input women’s perspectives and experiences,and reconstruct the distribution of rights and responsibilities in the existing legislation.The three principles complement each other and work together to comprehensively constitute the institutional structure of women’s participation in legislation,thereby promoting the reproduction of corresponding action structures.

A Historical Review of the Development of Women’s Higher Education in China (1908-2020): Stages, Explanations, and Trends

The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.

Ideas from the Women's Liberation Movement during the Period of the Central Soviet Area

During the period of the Central Soviet Area,the women's liberation movement flourished,greatly improving the living environment and space for women in the Soviet Area,and providing important implication for resolving issues concerning the development of women left behind in the current rural areas. Based on the useful exploration in the women's liberation movement during the period of the Central Soviet Area, and the field research data concerning the Gannan area,we conduct research on the women's liberation movement during the period of the Central Soviet Area from two dimensions ( family and society) . At the same time,we conduct analysis on current issues concerning the women left behind: in terms of family dimension,the patriarchal tendency of family interests is the core issue shackling the development of women left behind,extension of the family division of labor further restricts the space for the development of women left behind,and the weakening of family function is the key factor influencing the development of women left behind; in terms of social dimension,system isolation is the direct reason for restricted development of women left behind,weak economic foundation is the root cause of restricted development of women left behind, and the existence of discriminatory attitudes is the deep-seated reason for restricted development of women left behind. From the level of human development,we point out that the first step for the development of women left behind lies in the transformation of ideas. In order to solve issues concerning the women left behind,it is necessary to eliminate the property of individual family as the economic unit of society,and make all the women back to the common cause again.

Women’s Perception Concerning Health Care in the Post-Partum Period: A Meta-Synthesis

This meta-synthesis presents the results of qualitative studies on puerperal perception concerning woman’s care in the post-partum period. Four databases were researched using keywords such as “postnatal care” (or) “postpartum period”, (and) “care”, “women”, “perception”, “qualitative research”, “women’s health services”, “community health services”, “allied health personnel”, “primary health care”, resulting in 9 articles for analysis. Six themes were identified: interpersonal relationship, information, communication, attending the necessities, service organization and other supports. Results report mainly on the unsatisfactory professional care for women, appreciating the form of dealing with promptness and the timing to be attended;trust;content, coherence and the way to inform;clarification of doubts;friendly conversation and clinical assistance. The professional workload was restricted on postpartum period care quality. There were gaps found in clinical practice and in dialogical communication and information on women’s health necessities.

ADVANCES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION FOR TREATMENT OF WOMEN'S CLIMACTERIC SYNDROME

To introduce the advances of experimental research on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of Women＇s Climacteric Syndrome.The recent years experimental research literature of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of Women＇s Climacteric Syndrome were reviewed.The research literatures on acupuncture treatment were major,focusing on the field of acupuncture and moxibustion regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and nerval-endocritic-immune net.Acupuncture and moxibustion could regulate the endocrine environment of menopausal women.Taking advantage of combination biomedicine with multi-sciences,to improve the acupuncture and moxibustion curative effct and probe the mechanism of menopausal pathology and acupuncture and moxibustion function to Women＇s Climacteric Syndrome,is the research direction afterward.

Progress of CACNA1S Gene and Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

CACNA1 S gene is the gene encoding L-type calcium channel αa-subunit. CACNA1 S gene mutations can cause hypokalemic periodic pa- ralysis （HOKPP）. The related research speculated that CACNA1 S gene was the candidate genes which affect meat quality traits. In the present ar- ticle, the biological characteristics of CACNA1 S gene, structure, genetic diseases and the research development were respectively reviewed so as to provide a reference for further research.

Women＇s speech in variation studies

It is demonstrated by sociolinguistic variation studies that women are more likely than men to use standard speech. This paper reviews the operational methods and analytical means of classic quantitative studies in this field, intending to provide guidance and enlightenment for relevant studies and verifications in the context of Chinese culture.

The Women Characters of the 1930s in the Chinese TV Serials

The women of the 1930s in the Chinese TV serials deduct inspiring stories.They play different roles in the big wealthy families such as mothers-in-law,daughters-in-law,and maidservants.There are unceasing conflicts between these women,because of their struggle for men's love,wealth or social position.The theme of their stories is always about fertility,love,kindness and evil,with the ending being either comic or tragic.The stories of various kinds of women of the 1930s in the Chinese TV serials decorate and enrich the lives of many of us latecomers and their names are passed on from generation to generation.

Noether's theorem for non-conservative Hamilton system based on El-Nabulsi dynamical model extended by periodic laws

This paper focuses on the Noether symmetries and the conserved quantities for both holonomic and nonholonomic systems based on a new non-conservative dynamical model introduced by E1-Nabulsi. First, the E1-Nabulsi dynamical model which is based on a fractional integral extended by periodic laws is introduced, and E1-Nabulsi-Hamilton＇s canoni- cal equations for non-conservative Hamilton system with holonomic or nonholonomic constraints are established. Second, the definitions and criteria of E1-Nabulsi-Noether symmetrical transformations and quasi-symmetrical transformations are presented in terms of the invariance of E1-Nabulsi-Hamilton action under the infinitesimal transformations of the group. Fi- nally, Noether＇s theorems for the non-conservative Hamilton system under the E1-Nabulsi dynamical system are established, which reveal the relationship between the Noether symmetry and the conserved quantity of the system.

Patterns of medication use for the treatment of menopausal symptoms before and after the women’s health initiative;implications for decision-making practices of women and women’s health professionals

Background: The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) published findings in 2002 that changed the perception of the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the reduction of cardiovascular risks. Menopausal women using HRT for the relief of vasomotor symptoms were advised to use the lowest possible dose of HRT over the shortest possible duration. Objective: This study sought to examine patterns of HRT use for the treatment of menopausal symptoms before and after the WHI among women at least 40 years of age. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 1367 women in the pre-WHI group and 6467 women in the post-WHI group using the U.S. General Electric (GE) Centricity electronic medical record database. Menopause diagnosis was assessed using ICD-9 codes. Clinical characteristics and medication use were assessed for women with at least 3 years of enrollment (1 year baseline, 2 years follow-up). Results: The proportion of women in the post-WHI group that initiated HRT was significantly less than that of women in the pre-WHI group (31.3% vs. 56.9%, respectively;p < 0.001). Combination HRT use declined significantly (21.9% pre-WHI cohort vs. 7.2% post- WHI cohort, p < 0.001) among increases in non-HRT use, namely SSRIs (15.2% pre-WHI cohort v. 22.3% post-WHI cohort, p < 0.001) and tranquilizers (9.5% pre-WHI cohort v. 15.8% post-WHI cohort, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the WHI 2002 publication made an impression on the perception of HRT’s role in the relief of menopausal symptoms. Decision-making on the part of women seeking treatment for vasomotor symptoms and women’s health professionals demonstrates that despite HRT precautions, women continue to exhibit a need for HRT use. This study’s findings suggest that women seeking treatment for menopausal symptom relief and women’s health professionals continue to work together to find the appropriate balance between therapy use and adherence to therapy use guidelines.

Using Roy’s Model to Evaluate the Care Given to Postpartum Women Following Caesarean Delivery

Background: To evaluate the care given using Roy’s Adaptation Model. Materials and Methods: A pretest-posttest experimental model with a control group. Study population comprised postpartum women (N = 134;65 in the experimental group, 69 in the control group) who had caesarean full-term delivery in a Turkish maternity hospital between September 2009 and February 2011. Data were collected from the experimental group during seven home visits and from the control group at the end of the 6th week postpartum. Results: Percentage, chi-square, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and the McNamer test were used to evaluate data establishing 36 nursing diagnoses: Physiological requirements (22), Self requirements (7), Role Function requirements (4), and Interdependence Mode requirements (3). It was determined that the care given during the postpartum period using Roy’s Adaptation Model resolved or prevented the majority of postpartum problems. The difference between most diagnoses was found to be statistically significant (p p < 0.001) during the last week of data collection. Conclusion: The care given in the postpartum period using Roy’s Adaptation Model resolved or prevented postpartum problems.

Influence of group B streptococcus and vaginal cleanliness on the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women

BACKGROUND The vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in the health of pregnant women and their newborns.Group B Streptococcus(GBS)and vaginal cleanliness significantly affect the vaginal microecosystem and are closely associated with vaginal diseases.AIM To explore the effects of GBS status and vaginal cleanliness on vaginal microecosystems.METHODS We collected 160 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and divided them into the following four groups based on GBS status and vaginal cleanliness:GBS-positive+vaginal cleanliness I–II degree,GBS-negative+vaginal cleanliness I–II degree,GBS-positive+vaginal cleanliness III–IV degree,and GBS-negative+vaginal cleanliness III–IV degree.Samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.RESULTS Alpha diversity analysis showed that the Shannon index did not significantly differ between the four groups.We identified significant variation in taxa abundance between the GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups and between the vaginal cleanliness I–II degree and III–IV degree groups.Principal coordinate analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis further confirmed the microbial diversity of the four groups.Moreover,the linear discriminant analysis demonstrated that Lactobacillus jensenii and Actinobacteria were strongly associated with GBS-positive status,and Lactobacillus iners,Lactobacillaceae,Lactobacillus,Lactobacillales,Bacilli and Firmicutes were closely correlated with GBS-negative status.CONCLUSION GBS status and vaginal cleanliness significantly affect vaginal microbiome differences in pregnant women.Our findings provide instructional information for clinical antibiotic treatment in pregnant women with different GBS statuses and vaginal cleanliness degrees.

Impact of the Changes in Women’s Characteristics over Time on Antenatal Health Care Utilization in Egypt (2000-2008)

Objectives: This study empirically assesses the impact of the changes in women’s characteristics, empowerment, availability and quality of health services on woman’s decision to use antenatal care (ANC) and the frequency of that use during the period 2000-2008. Study Design: The study is a cross-sectional analytical study using 2000 and 2008 Egypt Demographic and Health Surveys. Methods: The assessment of the studied impact is conducted using the Zero-inflated Negative Binomial Regression. In addition, Factor Analysis technique is used to construct some of the explanatory variables such as women’s empowerment, the availability and quality of health services indicators. Results: Utilization of antenatal health care services is greatly improved from 2000 to 2008. Availability of health services is one of the main determinants that affect the number of antenatal care visits in 2008. Wealth index and quality of health services play an important role in raising the level of antenatal care utilization in 2000 and 2008. However, the impact of the terminated pregnancy on receiving ANC increased over time. Conclusions: Further research of the determinants of antenatal health care utilization is needed, using more updated measures of women’s empowerment, availability and quality of health services. In order to improve the provision of antenatal health care services, it is important to understand barriers to antenatal health care utilization. Therefore, it is advisable to collect information from women about the reasons for not receiving antenatal care.

Women＇s Cooperatives Contributions to Local Region Economy： Seferihisar Agricultural Cooperative Development Model-Turkey

The cooperative movement has played a very important role in the social and economic development of all countries since 19th eentury＇s second half. Cooperatives provide health, housing, and banking services; they promote education and gender equality; they protect the environment and workers＇ rights. According to 2014＇s data, the total number of cooperatives is 79,486 in Turkey, while the total number of partners of cooperatives is approximately 7.8 million. The research＇s sample group ＂Hidirlik Agricultural Development Cooperative＂ was founded by the wife of the Seferihisar＇s mayor and six women. It has been a subject of curiousity that the contributions of the cooperative have developed the economy of the region since 2010. Therefore, various questions asked to the president and members of the cooperative, and significant results were obtained. In this research ＂Interview technique＂ was used. The fact that within the boundaries of local governments, the establishment of ＂women＇s cooperatives＂ and their active management can be supported with 10 basic criteria for the regional and national development can be predicted. These dimensions： ecological balance and sensitivity, the revival of the tourism sector, the mobility of logistics activities, new investments and increase of land value, the increase of women employment, the increase of healthy living standards, increase of competitiveness and trade earnings, the creation of new brands, widespread of the agricultural sector, and the increase of social and educational level of women. The similiar implementation of ＂Seferihisar Women＇s Cooperatives Model＂ in the research is considered form an important enterprenurship model not only in Turkey but also for all countries.

What can the changes in shield resistance tell us during the period of shearer's cutting and neighboring shields' advance?

In order to determine the influence of shearer's cutting and neighboring shields' advance on the support resistance variation, leg pressure data of all 235 shields in the panel LW61 of Cumberland coal mine were analyzed. The results show that the relationship between the leg pressure increment and the distance from shield to front drum of shearer is a quadratic function and that the higher leg pressure increment before shield advance tends to be related to adverse roof conditions. In addition, the three proposed leg pressure increment-related parameters and the three traditional parameters(time-weighted average pressure, setting pressure, and final pressure) of approximately 32000 shield supporting cycles were calculated by a self-developed software package to analyze the correlation between them. The results show that there is a powerful connection between them, and that the three proposed leg pressure increment-related parameters could be used as the indexes to evaluate the interaction between shields and the roof, and to identify the periodic weighting.

Women with overweight, mixed hyperlipidemia, intolerance to glucose and diastolic hypertension

Primarily healthy women who attended a practice of General Medicine were examined and coded data were evaluated using two statistical methods (n = 248, aged 36 ± 14 years). It was found that participants with LDL-related (mixed) hyperlipidemia showed higher blood pressure, a higher proportion of alcohol problems and/or smoking compared to normolipidemic women (p ≤ 0.05). These hyperlipidemic women who reported alcohol problems and/or smoking more often showed proteinuria and/or hematuria, rise of LDL/HDL, critical fasting blood glucose and lower HDL-cholesterol compared to hyperlipidemic women reporting healthy lifestyle (p ≤ 0.05). Likewise, high triglycerides were associated with rise of blood pressure and intolerance to glucose (p ≤ 0.05) and also with elevated total cholesterol. Alcohol-related hypertriglyceridemia overlapped with diastolic hypertension, rise of body weight and urine pathology, lowering of HDL-cholesterol and critical fasting blood glucose. The motivating message was that women with mixed hyperlipidemia and healthy lifestyle had functionally renal endothelium and healthy HDL-related baseline measures. Altogether, LDL-related hyperlipidemia and/or high triglycerides were correlated with diastolic hypertension whereby critical alcohol consumption declined renal endothelium and lowered HDL-cholesterol implicating baseline strategies to neutralize early risk factors.

Periodic Solutions for a Class of Neutral Functional Differential Equations with Distributed and Discrete Delays

Based on Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem,matrix measure and functional analysis methods,some new sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions of neutral functional differential equations with distributed and discrete delays are obtained. Moreover,we construct an example to illustrate the feasibility of our results.