Iskanje po repozitoriju

Opis: Native to East Asia, the Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) has recently expanded its global range, with established invasive populations in Europe and North America. Given its potential role as a vector of various arboviruses, understanding its invasion process and ecological dynamics is crucial for managing its spread and mitigating public health risks. In the Iberian Peninsula, the species was first detected in Asturias in 2018 and has since expanded to neighbouring regions. Here, we elucidate the invasion pathways and possible origins of Ae. japonicus populations in Spain using sequence data and microsatellite markers, and by screening for the presence of maternally transmitted bacteria of the genus Wolbachia. We analysed 635 Ae. japonicus from 14 countries, including Japan (native range), the United States, and 12 European countries. No clear association between haplotypes and geographical location was detected in any of the three genes analysed (nuclear ITS2, mitochondrial COI and ND4). Wolbachia was not detected in any of the screened samples. In contrast, microsatellite-based population structure analyses showed that most Spanish samples clustered closely with those from College Park, Maryland (USA), located near the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest ports in the United States and a recognised gateway for invasive species introductions. Northern Spain hosts major seaports such as Bilbao and Gijón, whereas the nearest established Ae. japonicus population in Europe lies over 1,000 km away in northeastern France. Taken together, these findings suggest that the most plausible invasion route of Ae. japonicus into Spain involves maritime transport from the eastern coast of the United States to northern Spanish ports, likely accompanied by additional minor introductions of European origin. The inclusion of additional microsatellite loci originally developed for Ae. albopictus yielded results consistent with those obtained using Ae. japonicus-specific loci, reinforcing the robustness of the observed patterns. This work provides new insights into the invasion process of Ae. japonicus in Europe and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and tailored interventions at key ports of entry.
Ključne besede: Aedes, invasive mosquitoes, invasion genetics, northern Spain, points of entry, wsp marker
Objavljeno v RUP: 26.08.2026; Ogledov: 272; Prenosov: 5
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Opis: Aim: The aim of the study was to quantitatively assess reflective capacity among nursing students and to examine the expression of its dimensions in the clinical learning environment. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study design was used. A purposive sample of 177 nursing students enrolled in the Nursing programme in Slovenia participated in the study. Data were collected between October and December 2025 using the Reflective Practice Questionnaire. The study used the 16-item reflective capacity subscale, which includes four dimensions: reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action, reflection with others, and self-appraisal. Data were collected through an anonymous online survey (1KA). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 29. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Due to non-normal data distribution, non-parametric tests were applied, including the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Friedman test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed a relatively high level of reflective capacity among nursing students (Mdn = 4.56). Based on median values, the highest scores were observed in reflection with others and self-appraisal, while the lowest were found for reflection-in-action. Differences between reflective capacity dimensions were not statistically significant (χ²(3) = 2.399, p = 0.494). No significant differences were observed between full-time and part-time students or across years of study (p > 0.05). Age was not significantly associated with reflective capacity, except for a weak negative correlation with reflection with others (ρ = −0.193, p = 0.011). Students who perceived reflection as important for their professional development and those interested in additional practical training demonstrated significantly higher levels of reflective capacity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that nursing students demonstrate a relatively high level of reflective capacity, particularly in collaborative reflective processes. Reflective practice appears to be an important component of clinical learning and professional development in nursing education. Implication for nursing practice: Structured reflective activities, mentoring conversations, and guided reflection in clinical environments may strengthen students’ clinical judgement, professional responsibility, and quality of patient care.
Ključne besede: clinical education, nursing education, nursing students, reflective capacity, reflective practice
Objavljeno v RUP: 24.08.2026; Ogledov: 534; Prenosov: 10
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Opis: Youth unemployment remains a major challenge in South Africa, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted education and labour-market transitions. This study investigates how educational attainment influences youth unemployment in the post-COVID period using the nationally representative 2021 General Household Survey. A sample of 3,652 youths was analysed using logit and probit models across three specifications that incorporate education, demographic factors, and household welfare characteristics. The results show that higher education significantly reduces the likelihood of unemployment, with the strongest effects for diploma and degree holders. However, these effects vary across provinces. Youth in Free State, Northwest, and Limpopo experience high unemployment even with higher qualifications, indicating weak regional labour markets. A sensitivity analysis reveals that returns to education are lower in mining-dependent provinces. The study concludes that expanding education alone is insufficient without addressing provincial labour-market constraints.
Ključne besede: education, youth unemployment, General Household Survey (GHS) data, post COVID-19, South Africa
Objavljeno v RUP: 24.08.2026; Ogledov: 276; Prenosov: 5
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Opis: Government expenditure on health is an essential factor for the growth of any economy. However, the health system in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has not been receiving enough attention. The direct effect of public health expenditure and corruption on economic growth, as well as the role of corruption in the relationship between public health spending and eco nomic growth in 32 sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2022, is examined by this study using fixed effect and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) as an estimation technique. The results show that both public health expenditure and corruption negatively impact economic growth, while the joint effect of public health spending and corruption enhances economic growth in SSA. Furthermore, the findings reveal that in flation hurts economic growth whereas gross capital formation and trade openness have a positive effect on economic growth. It is recommended that the government should formulate policies that will control corrup tion and raise the level of institutional quality in the SSA region.
Ključne besede: GMM, health expenditure, economic growth, corruption
Objavljeno v RUP: 24.08.2026; Ogledov: 241; Prenosov: 6
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Opis: Economic growth is closely linked to innovation, with R&D playing a key role in generating new knowledge, products, and processes. In Portugal, public policies support R&D through financial incentives and tax benefits. This article examines the relationship between economic growth and R&D investment from both macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives, focusing on national outcomes and firm-level performance, emphasizing the role of tax incentives in private R&D. Using a linear regression model, we find that innovation-intensive firms investing in R&D exhibit higher levels of tax planning, partly reflecting the direct effect of R&D tax incentives (SIFIDE), and potentially linked to more accurate tax management practices. Our findings align with international evidence while addressing a gap in the Portuguese context. The findings provide insights for policymakers and business leaders, emphasizing the need to monitor private R&D investments supported by SIFIDE and assess their real economic im pact, given the scheme’s substantial fiscal cost.
Ključne besede: economic growth, tax planning, R&D, tax benefits, SIFIDE
Objavljeno v RUP: 24.08.2026; Ogledov: 256; Prenosov: 8
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