Quality of life and depression among patients with high myopia in Nigeria:a cross sectional study

AIM:To evaluate the quality of life(QOL)and level of depression among participants with high myopia in Nigeria and the demographic factors associated with these outcomes.METHODS:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 adult participants with high myopia(defined as refractive error≤-5.00 D or worse,and uncorrected visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the better seeing eye)attending ophthalmology centres in Nigeria from 2 October 2021 to 30 August 2022.The means and standard deviations were calculated for each of the four domains of World Health Organization Quality of life scale(WHOQOL-BREF)using the transformed scores.The Beck Depression Inventory(BDI)scale was used to assess the level of depression.RESULTS:The highest and the lowest mean scores of WHOQOL-BREF domains were found for the psychological and physical health domains(mean percentage scores were 67.0[95% confidence intervals(CI)64.1-68.9]and 55.3(95%CI 51.8-58.8,P<0.001),respectively.One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA)revealed significant differences in physical health with educational status(higher among those with tertiary education:mean difference 0.9,95%CI-0.2-2.1;P=0.049),differences in psychological health with working status(higher among those who were working 1.2,95%CI 0.3-2.1;P=0.012).Also,the result showed a statistically significant association between environmental health and marital status(higher among non-married:1.7,95%CI-0.9-2.3;P=0.012)while overall health was associated with place of residence(higher in urban areas:2.3,95%CI 1.2-3.5;P=0.024).For depression,one in every nine participants reported major depressive symptom,mostly younger people(aged 16-29 vs 30-49y:17.0%vs 0,P=0.019),and slightly more women than men(14.3%vs 0,P=0.064).There were significant negative correlations between the depression scores and psychological health(r=-0.48,P<0.001),physical health(r=-0.29,P=0.002),social and relationship(r=-0.49,P<0.001),environmental(r=-0.48,P<0.001)and overall health(r=-0.49,P<0.001)CONCLUSION:People with high myopia have a relatively moderate QOL,but poor physical health,particularly the younger age group,and women who are more likely to experience clinically relevant depression.Eye care professionals should consider possible referrals for counselling for people with high myopia.

Short-term effects of nitrogen deposition on soil respiration components in two alpine coniferous forests, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Nitrogen (N) deposition to alpine forest ecosystems is increasing gradually, yet previous studies have seldom reported the effects of N inputs on soil CO2 flux in these ecosystems. Evaluating the effects of soil respiration on N addition is of great significance for understanding soil carbon (C) budgets along N gradients in forest ecosystems. In this study, four levels of N (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha^-1 a^-1) were added to soil in a Picea baifouriana and an Abies georgei natural forest on the Tibetan Plateau to investigate the effect of the N inputs on soil respiration. N addition stimulated total soil respiration (Rt) and its components including heterotrophic respiration (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra);however, the promoted effects declined with an increase in N application in two coniferous forests. Soil respiration rate was a little greater in the spruce forest (1.05 μmol CO2 m^-2 s^-1) than that in the fir forest (0.97 μmol CO2 m^-2 s^-1). A repeated measures ANOVA indicated that N fertilization had significant effects on Rt and its components in the spruce forest and Rt in the fir forest, but had no obvious effect on Rh or Ra in the fir forest. Rt and its components had significant exponential relationships with soil temperature in both forests. N addition also increased temperature sensitivity (Q10) of Rt and its components in the two coniferous forests, but the promotion declined as N in put increased. Important, soil moisture had great effects on Rt and its components in the spruce forest (P<0.05), but no obvious impacts were observed in the fir forest (P>0.05). Following N fertilization, Ra was significantly and positively related to fine root biomass, while Rh was related to soil enzymatic activities in both forests. The mechanisms underlying the effect of simulated N deposition on soil respiration and its components in this study may help in forecasting C cycling in alpine forests under future levels of reactive N deposition.

Forced Oscillation of Neutral Advanced Dynamic Equations with Positive and Negative Coeffcients on Time Scales

In this paper,we consider the forced neutral advanced dynamic equations with positive and negative coeffcients[x(t)-R(t)x(t+r)]+P(t)x(t+τ)△Q(t)x(t+δ)= f(t),t≥t0 on a time scale T.Several suffcient conditions are obtained for the oscillation of the dynamic equations.The main result is illustrated by an example.

On the Reason of Changes of Chinese Possession Institution——from the Perspective of Historical Institutionalism

It is the important part of historical institutionalism to explore the reason of the changes of institutions,which includes key issues of historical institutionalism—why do institutions change?How do institutions play a new role through changing?As far as the reason of the changes is concerned,there are social reasons,economic reasons,technological reasons as well as concept reasons.Being part of the China’s civil law system,the possession institution unexceptionally experiences changing process of establishment,amendment,reform and innovation.This paper attempts to analyze the reason of the changes of the possession institution from the perspective of institutional change theory of the historical institutionalism,giving historical explanation of institutional changes and putting forward historical interpretation and support for the perfection of the contemporary possession institution.

Profits and Costs of the Development of Rural Cooperative Economic Organizations

Through analyzing the economic profits of rural cooperative economic organizations,the following conclusions are obtained.The rural cooperative economic organizations can get the economic profits which are in accordance with the demands of market-oriented economy.The rural cooperative economic organizations can benefit from sharing the knight service provided by the government;from reducing and avoiding various kinds of risks in operation and from applying the agricultural technology and standardization production.Besides,the organizations can share the profits bought along by the standardized production of agricultural production and their members can enjoy the profits bought by socialized service system.In addition,the rural cooperative economic organizations can enjoy the profits produced by the agricultural management integration strategy.What' more,they can increase profits by reducing the transaction costs;enlarging scale and enjoying the brand advantages.The analyses of the costs of the development of rural cooperative economic organizations mainly include the organizing costs,operation costs,restriction costs and cooperation costs.We think that the slow development of rural cooperative economic organizations is caused by their high operation cost and the impediment of external environment.In the end,the countermeasures on strengthening the research on the theory,promotion,education and training of rural economic cooperative organizations and intensifying the supports on the policies of rural economic cooperative organizations are put forward.

The Rise of China

Shared ideas wield a decisive influence on a country's external behavior. How China's rise will impact the world is determined by ideas shared by the international community. The identity and role of an emerging China is shaped not merely by its own material factors and subjective efforts. It is also constructed through China's interaction with other countries. The idea of a harmonious culture may eliminate international concerns about China's rise at the root, but this culture needs to be constructed by all the countries in the world.

On the Relationship Between Human Rights Protection and the Modernization of State Governance

The protection of human rights inherently related to modern state-governance.On the one hand,human rights protection is the foundation and criteria for modern state-governance,characterized by democracy,rule of law and civility,with human rights as a cross-cutting theme in all these elements.On the other hand,human rights protection provides conditions and motives for modernizing state governance.Human rights are pursued as a fundamental value in modern state-governance.Human rights protection is also a driving force for good governance and a touchstone for the modernity of governance.

Prevention of Violent Extremism and Human Rights Protection

In the context of globalization, violent extremist forces pose a serious threat to the fundamental human rights of the people all over the world. Strengthening human rights protection requires reinforcing the momentum to crack down and prevent the violent acts of extremist forces. As one of the countries that is the victim of violence by extremists, China has taken a series of measures to tackle the challenges of violent extremism. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, "the realization of the full enjoyment of human rights by human beings is the common goal of human society." While establishing a community of common destiny for all mankind, the international community should take action to effectively address the root causes of violent extremism, maintain a peaceful and secure development environment, and defend the basic human rights and well-being of all peoples, so as to ensure a safe and brighter future for all.

Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Under the Framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a manifesto for the rights of the disabled. It establishes the values and concepts, the guidelines for action, and the system of rules for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. As one of the main drafting countries and the first signatories of the Convention, China has been actively implementing the principles of the Convention and faithfully fulfilling the responsibilities of a signatory party, and has made great achievements in building up its legal system, policy and culture. However, compared with the goals of the Convention, there still exist some gaps in rights awareness, social environment and related systems. Guided by the spirit of the Convention, and taking into account China's national conditions, the country will continue to cultivate its human rights culture, upgrade its capability to provide public services for people with disabilities, improve the construction of barrier-free environments, guarantee the full realization of the survival, development and participation rights of the disabled, and establish a new mode of protecting the human rights of persons with disabilities in China.

Do people really support conservation?Evidence from China and the United States

Survey studies have consistently shown strong public support for biodiversity conservation,even though conservation regulations often face strong local resistance when they are implemented.This seemingly contradictory phenomenon is due to the fact that previous polls have sought opinion only in the abstract,yet many conservation measures are implemented at the expense of local economic development,and policymakers often face a‘Conservation-Development Tradeoff’-a policy dilemma that remains understudied by social scientists.To fill this gap,this study conducts one of the first comparative surveys on public support for biodiversity conservation in China and the United States.I measure public support for conservation using two separate question versions online.The‘regular version’asks directly about individual support for biodiversity conservation,and the“tradeoff version”asks the same question but in the context of the policy tradeoff.The results show that both American and Chinese citizens are highly supportive of conservation in the abstract.But after they learn about the tradeoff effect,the aggregate support falls sharply,and the Chinese citizens show significantly less support compared to their American counterparts.The survey findings expanded on existing academic research on public attitudes toward conservation policies and can encourage future conservation policymakers to understand the significance of the tradeoff issue,as conventional wisdom may have overestimated public support for biodiversity conservation.Moreover,as China has become a crucial player in global conservation governance,understanding the Chinese public sentiment on the real-world policy dilemma can have important implications for conservation policymaking in the world.

Japanese Policies towards China： Changeability and Stability

The implementation of Japanese post-war policies towards China has been through a gradually shifting process, chronologically going from policies of anti-China sentiment, friendly cooperation and a combination of caution and cooperation. Under the context of these adjusting policies towards China, the national political environment and the American power of discourse have both significantly affected Japanese authorities. At the same time, common economic interest and caution concerning China’s competitiveness have always been a stable consideration.

Maintain Human Rights and World Peace: China's Remarkable Contributions

Seventy years ago, China and the world Anti-Fascist Allies won the great victory of the Anti-Fascist War. As the main battlefield on the eastern front, the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression made indelible contributions to the final victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese people threw themselves in the War of Resistance for fourteen years. China suffered over 35 million casualties, but its people made great contributions. In the post-war era, as the world's most populous developing country, China attaches great importance to the protection of human rights by rule of law, follows the path of peaceful development, remains a staunch force in maintaining world peace, and makes outstanding contributions in achieving world peace and human rights protection.

Rethinking Global Health Governance in a Changing World Order for Achieving Sustainable Development:The Role and Potential of the'Rising Powers'

The idea of this paper is inspired by the dismal experience and lessons from the initially ineffective global(WHO-led)response to the 2014-2016 West African Ebola virus epidemic.It charts the evolution of global health policy and governance in the post-World War II international order to the current post-2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals era.In order to respond adequately existing and emerging health and development challenges across developing regions,the paper argues that global health governance and related structures and institutions must adapt to changing socio-economic circumstances at all levels of decision-making.Against the background of a changing world order characterised by the decline of US-led Western international liberalism and the rise of the emerging nations in the developing world,it identifies the 4 Rising Powers'(RPs)among the emerging economies and their soft power diplomacy and international development cooperation strategy as important tools for responding to post-2015 global health challenges.Based on analysis of illustrative examples from the'BRICS;a group of large emerging economies-Brazil,Russia,India,China and South Africa-the paper develops suggestions and recommendations for the RPs with respect to:(1)stimulating innovation in global health governance and(2)strengthening health systems and health security at country and regional levels.Observing that current deliberations on global health focus largely,but rather narrowly,on what resource inputs are needed to achieve the SDG health targets,this paper goes further and highlights the importance of the in terms of a leadership and driving role for the RPs:How can the RPs champion global governance reform and innovation aimed at producing strong,resilient and equitable global systems?How can the RPs use soft power diplomacy to enhance disease surveillance and detection capacities and to promote improved regional and international coordination in response to health threats?How can they provide incentives for investment in R&D and manufacturing of medicines to tackle neglected and poverty-related diseases in developing countries?

Dealing with the Contagion: China and India in the Aftermath of the Subprime Meltdown

当在在 2007 的夏天的 US 住房部门的一个低迷时期由 2008 年 9 月采蘑菇进一个全球金融危机，什么开始了：自从 1930 年代最严重。包括中国和印度，发展中的国家起初看起来从骚乱的最糟掩盖了，一直不对传染的溢出效果有免疫力。中国和印度的精确危险是什么，并且什么能各做更好绝缘他们从全球金融标记骚乱的奇想的经济？同等地重要，每个国家必须采用什么长期的策略使他们的经济更有弹性到全球市场低迷时期？

Fifty Years of Global Justice:Five Theses

The subject of"global justice"did not exist in the literature of transatlantic political philosophy 50 years ago.Today,it is a focus of vigorous philosophical discussion.The paper offers five theses about the linkage between the origins of the literature in the political and philosophical ferment of the late 1960s and the state of the philosophical literature today.

Recalibrating Impact of Regional Actors on Security of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

China and Pakistan's collaboration in attaining regional integration can alter the regional geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics.CPEC is the steps toward benefiting Pakistan,China,and the whole region.This article explored the regional actors’role in undermining and threatening the CPEC.Analysis of the secondary data revealed that India,Iran,Afghanistan,and the USA could create security problems for CPEC.Theoretical Framework,based on Behavioralist theory,was developed to investigate these security threats through the primary data collected through the structured questionnaire with the help of experts.The primary data also revealed that Iran and India have vital roles.The study also discussed suggestions and implications for future research.

International financialisation,developing countries and the contradictions of privatised Keynesianism

This paper contributes to the understanding of the impact of international financialisation on developing countries.It is generally understood that developing economies are part of the global financialisation process,as exporters of goods to‘debt-led’economies and as recipient of foreign capital inflows.This paper argues that a key process connecting these two aspects has been‘privatised Keynesianism’,the policy regime that sustained financialisation in advanced economies by promoting low interest rates and asset appreciation.A consequence of this regime is to induce pressure on global financial institutions to look for returns and profits in the developing world.Such a mechanism represents a fundamental connection between the developing countries and financialisation at the global level,beside the spread of financial liberalisation.In the post-crisis environment,this connection remains strong and has become even more dangerous for developing countries.

The Political Heritage of Textile Districts:Shanghai and Mumbai

This article examines the evolution of mill districts in Shanghai and Mumbai across the 20^(th) century as cases of political heritage—in which the socio-spatial formations of factory and neighbourhood produced new meanings of citizenship for the workers in each city.Using historical materials from the textile industry in each city,government reports,housing data,and secondary sources,this article first traces the origins of Shanghai’s textile industry in the 19^(th) century to its connections with Bombay’s textile mills,then examines the emergence of working-class neighbourhoods as they acquired distinctive patterns of tenement housing,shopfronts,and street life.The main finding is that despite clear differences in the two cities in terms of religion,culture,and politics,the‘mill district’became a socio-cultural formation central to the identity and memory of generations of textile workers in Shanghai and Mumbai.A concluding section examines the similar process in each city in the 21st century in which mill compounds and neighbourhoods were converted into high-end commercial real estate and sites for consumption and leisure.