Women\u27s Human Capital and Economic Growth in the Middle East and North Africa

The process of demographic transition has increased the share of the working-age population in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This situation has created an opportunity for economic growth, called the demographic dividend. Global comparisons show that a favorable age structure has not always resulted in a boost in economic growth. In order to take a full advantage of the MENA’s demographic dividend, it is important to identify different factors contributing to economic growth in this region. Investment in women’s human capital is expected to have important implications for the region’s economic growth and for maximizing the benefits created by the demographic dividend. Using a range of data sources, this paper aims to determine the association between women’s human capital (measured by adult educational attainment and health status) and economic growth (measured by gross national income per capita) in MENA. The findings show a positive association between these two. Specifically, the national-level income is generally higher in countries with lower maternal mortality and higher female literacy, female tertiary education, female life and healthy life expectancies at birth and professional childbirth attendance. Thus, investment in women’s human capital can accelerate the pace of development in MENA

The comparison of executive function among students with / without depression in Shiraz

Introduction: Studies asset the effect of executive function deficit on depression disorder are growing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is comparison of the executive function in students with depression traits and non- depressed students.Methods: Ex post facto method used on 15 students with depression traits and 15 non-depressed individuals from students of academic year 2016- 2017 of Shiraz University who were selected through multi-stage random sampling. At first, 200 students was selected by multistage random sampling method from the all undergraduate students and they completed Beck Depression Inventory to select the subjects with depression and Millon clinical multiaxial inventory (MCMI III) in order to exclude subjects with personality disorder criteria. Then, we chose students with depression traits. 15 students with depression traits and 15 non-depressed students completed Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The findings were analyzed through descriptive statistic, Multivariate variance analysis using SPSS version 16.Results: The sample ranged from 20-24 with an average age of 19.55. Results showed that students with depression traits in comparison with non- depressed students have higher perseveration error and total errors, and lower number of complete (P<0.05).Conclusion: Since deficits in cognitive performance and executive function might result in depression, attention to these factors to be modified is efficient

Fake-Website Detection Tools: Identifying Elements that Promote Individuals’ Use and Enhance Their Performance

By successfully exploiting human vulnerabilities, fake websites have emerged as a major source of online fraud. Fake websites continue to inflict exorbitant monetary losses and also have significant ramifications for online security. We explore the process by which salient performance-related elements could increase the reliance on protective tools and, thus, reduce the success rate of fake websites. We develop the theory of detection tool impact (DTI) for this investigation by borrowing and contextualizing the protection motivation theory. Based on the DTI theory, we conceptualize a model to investigate how salient performance and cost-related elements of detection tools could influence users’ perceptions of the tools and threats, efficacy in dealing with threats, and reliance on such tools. The research method was a controlled lab experiment with a novel and extensive experimental design and protocol in two distinct domains: online pharmacies and banks. We found that the detector accuracy and speed, reflecting in response efficacy as perceived by users, form the pivotal coping mechanism in dealing with security threats and are major conduits for transforming salient performance-related elements into increased reliance on the detector. Furthermore, reported reliance on the detector showed a significant impact on the users’ performance in terms of self-protection. Therefore, users’ perceived response efficacy should be used as a critical metric to evaluate the design, assess the performance, and promote the use of fake-website detectors. We also found that cost of detector error had profound impacts on threat perceptions. We discuss the significant theoretical and empirical implications of the findings

Correlation between workplace culture, learning and medication errors

The occurrence of medication errors in intensivecare units can bring about irreparable damageand even lead to death in hospitalized patients.In this respect, numerous investigations have suggestedthat many factors including workplace culture and learningfrom error can affect the incidence rates of such errorsin these units. Accordingly, the present study was to shedlight on the correlation between workplace culture, learningfrom error, and reporting rate of medication errorsamong nurses in intensive care units affiliated to teachinghospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciencesin Iran.Methods: A descriptive-analytical study was conductedamong 120 nurses working in intensive care units in fourteaching hospitals in the city of Tehran. Then, the questionnairesdeveloped by Gulley et al., Rybowiak et al., andWakefield et al. were used to collect the data related toworkplace culture, learning climate, and medication errors.Results: The findings of this study indicated that increasedlearning from error in nurses working in intensivecare units could lower reporting rate of medication errors(r=-0.312, p-value=0.001); there was also a significantrelationship between workplace culture and reportingrate of medication errors, so that enhancing workplaceculture could reduce reporting rate of medication errors(r=-0.239, p-value=0.012).Conclusion: Improving workplace culture via supportingemployee creativity and innovation as well as promotinglearning environment through an employee reward systemalong with avoidance of punishments and reprimands fornurses during the occurrence of errors could be effective inmitigating the incidence rates of medication errors

From analysis to formulation of sgtrategies for farm advisory services (Case study: Valencia - Spain). An application through SWOT and QSPM matrix

European agriculture should meet new increasing internal and contextual challenges. For example, the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2003 introduced the cross-compliance, among other novelties, as compulsory for farmers. To better meet this and other requirements, Member States had to set up the so-called Farm Advisory System, operational across the European Union in 2007. From a sample of actors involved in the provision of farm advisory services in the region of Valencia (Spain), the present study aimed to identify the most appropriate strategies to implement such services. SWOT method has been applied to examine the internal and external environment. Based on this diagnosis, dominance of strengths and opportunities resulted in a set of four prioritised main 'aggressive' strategies (using SPACE and QSPM methods), which in turn may help public decision makers and advisers in a more effective implementation of advisory services

Advantages and Disadvantages of Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) in Iran: A Study Based on Breeders' Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB). Seventy-six breeders were randomly selected from among 95 breeders who were working at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Data were collected by a questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was approved by a panel of agricultural extension and plant breeding experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated and it turned out to be high, ranging from 0.83-0.92. The descriptive findings of the study suggested that the breeders had generally positive perception toward using PPB. The correlation analysis results showed that there is a positive and significant (p>0.01) correlation among the levels of familiarity with PPB, advantages, and breeders’ perception toward the use of PPB. In addition, there was a negative and significant (p>0.01) correlation between breeders' perception of the disadvantages faced by PPB and their perception of using participatory plant breeding. Finally,stepwise regression analysisindicated that the advantages and disadvantages of PPB explained about 58% of the variations in breeders’ perception toward using PPB

Cause-Specific Mortality among HIV-Infected Persons in One Medical Center, Tehran, Iran

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the major infectious agents, which has important role in the public health challenges, which have affected the world's economic and social situation recent decades. During the last decades, millions of people died due to HIV infection worldwide. However, data remain limited on the causes of death among HIV-infected in Iranian population. The aim of the present study was to assess the cause specific death among HIV positive inpatient persons in Iran.Materials and Methods: This surveillance was conducted on inpatient HIV positive admissions at Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran during October 2016 and April 2017.All patient’s data were collected via abstraction form, which were ascertained, from medical records and from written logbooks that were kept by the nursing staff on the ward. The data of each admission was recorded from the medical reports at the time of admission and upon discharge. All laboratory data were collected and recorded separately.Results: Fifty persons were diagnosed as HIV-infected patients, of which 58% of them were classified as AIDS patients. Our findings indicated that the cause of hospitalization were pulmonary 54%, neurological 20%, gastrointestinal 16%, and dermal 10% complications. Overall, 21 patients (42%) were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, of which one patient died from tuberculosis complications. Four patients died during the study period.Conclusion: In conclusion, early treatment and/or early use of ART can be improved outcomes. Therefore, early HIV testing and early ART use play important role in mortality reduction among eligible persons

The relationship of hyperlipidemia with maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Background: Concentrations of plasma lipids levels during pregnancy clearly increases. According to some studies, dyslipidemia is effective in the incidence of preeclampsia and insulin resistance. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between hyperlipidemia and maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on two groups of pregnant women with hyperlipidemia and normal ones to assess maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal data including gestational age, mother’s age, body mass index, and maternal weight gain during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, cholestasis, and delivery method. Also, birth weight and Apgar score were gathered as the neonatal outcomes. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of abnormal lipid parameters increased with increasing gestational age. In pregnant women with dyslipidemia in combination with increased triglyceride, cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein, and decreased High-density lipoprotein, the incidence rates of gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), preeclampsia (p < 0.001), cholestasis (p = 0.041), fetal growth retardation (p < 0.001), and macrosomia (p < 0.001) were statistically higher. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was associated with some adverse effects of pregnancy and harmful fetal outcomes. Therefore, it seems that adding laboratory assessment of lipid profiles before and during pregnancy can be effective in early diagnosis of dyslipidemia. Key words: Dyslipidemias, Gestational diabetes, Preeclampsia, Fetal macrosomia

Trust in Management and Work Satisfaction as Predictor of Workplace Deviance in SMEs of Malaysia

Deviant workplace behavior has become a most costly phenomenon as it includes a wide range of negative acts performed by the employees to harm the organization and its members. The workplace is a forum where employees are seen behaving in different productive manners in order to achieve a common goal. In this research employee deviant has been conceptualized as destructive. While deviant behavior may be harmful, employee deviance can be constructive and functional as well. Employees who engage in constructive deviance, such as innovative behaviors, can provide organizations with necessary creativity. Past researchers have consistently found correlations between deviant behaviors and employees’ evaluations of the quality of their work environment. This study explains the impact of trust in management and work Satisfaction a predictor of workplace deviance. To analyze this preference, the questionnaires were distributed randomly to the employees from different industries in SMEs of Malaysia. From the 150 online questionnaires, 115 responses were received. The result of this study helps the managers and supervisors in monitoring the employees to find any dissatisfaction and precaution against unfairness among labors. This research gives an insight of the type of trust in organization that is salient for each construct and allows the management of organizations to take appropriate actions to improve conditions at the workplace and prevent deviance in the organization, the management must create environment that employee perceive enough care and support. Some organizations need to change the work environment and educate workers on how to adapt and cope better to the workplace. The scope of this study is more concerned about deviance in the workplace and most of the questionnaires were filled by employees of SMEs in Malaysia. The respondents include all employees who work in Malaysia. This research have several funding such as trust in management have positive effects on work Satisfaction and negative effect on workplace deviance, and work satisfaction performed as a mediating role to relationship between trust in management and workplace deviance. Keywords: workplace deviance, trust in management, work satisfaction DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-21-20 Publication date:July 31st 202