Subjective Well-Being Population Norms and Inequalities in Hungary: A Large Cross-Sectional, Internet-Based Survey.

Objectives: This study aimed to provide subjective well-being (SWB) population norms in Hungary and explore the contribution of explanatory factors of SWB inequality among the Hungarian adult general population.

Methods: The data originated from a large representative internet-based cross-sectional survey in Hungary, which was conducted in 2020. We applied validated multi-item instruments for measuring SWB, namely Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Testing the Psychometric Properties of 9 Bolt-Ons for the EQ-5D-5L in a General Population Sample.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the psychometric performance and added value of 9 existing bolt-ons (breathing problems, cognition, hearing, self-confidence, skin irritation, sleep, social relationships, tiredness, and vision) for the EQ-5D-5L in a general population sample.

Methods: The EQ-5D-5L, 9 bolt-ons, SF-6Dv1, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29+2, PROMIS Global Health, and Satisfaction with Life Scale were completed in an online cross-sectional survey among a general adult population sample in Hungary (n = 1587). The following psychometric properties were tested for the EQ-5D-5L + bolt-on(s): ceiling, divergent and convergent validity, structural validity, known-group validity, and explanatory power.

Individual differences in knowledge network navigation.

With the rapid accumulation of online information, efficient web navigation has grown vital yet challenging. To create an easily navigable cyberspace catering to diverse demographics, understanding how people navigate differently is paramount. While previous research has unveiled individual differences in spatial navigation, such differences in knowledge space navigation remain sparse.

Behind the Scenes: A Qualitative Investigation of Interviewers' Performance in EQ-5D Valuation Studies.

Background: The EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) protocol is currently employed by the valuation studies of the EQ family of instruments worldwide. To date, all the evidence in support of the quality control (QC) originates from quantitative indicators.

Objective: We aimed to explore interviewers' conversational patterns in EQ-VT interviews, beyond quantitative QC indicators, and to provide a preliminary exploration of how the interaction between interviewer and respondent impacts data quality.

Unmasking Risky Habits: Identifying and Predicting Problem Gamblers Through Machine Learning Techniques.

The use of machine learning techniques to identify problem gamblers has been widely established. However, existing methods often rely on self-reported labeling, such as temporary self-exclusion or account closure. In this study, we propose a novel approach that combines two documented methods.

Empowering women in sustainable agriculture.

The agricultural and rural development policy seeks to facilitate the transition towards environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral agricultural practices, with a focus on human capital, knowledge, and innovation. Gender equality can play a significant role in promoting environmentally sustainable practices in the agricultural sector, particularly through the adoption and implementation of agri-environment-climate schemes (AECS) in the context of farm, agricultural, and rural development. We examine the presence of gender bias in the adoption intensity of AECS by utilising farm-level data from Slovenia.

Population Norms for the EQ-5D-5L, PROPr and SF-6D in Hungary.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop population norms for three preference-accompanied measures [EQ-5D-5L, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-preference scoring system (PROPr) and Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D)] in Hungary.

Methods: In November 2020, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of the Hungarian adult general population (n = 1631). Respondents completed the Hungarian versions of the EQ-5D-5L, PROMIS-29+2 version 2.

Why do startups fail? A core competency deficit model.

A growing body of work aims to explore the reasons behind startup failures. However, there is a need for integrative approaches organized around conceptual frameworks to avoid fragmented and perplexing knowledge about these reasons. To our knowledge, no previous research has systematically investigated the role of competency deficits in startup failures, a crucial element of these failures.

Inequalities in regional excess mortality and life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

Using data for 201 regions (NUTS 2) in Europe, we examine the mortality burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the mortality inequalities between regions changed between 2020 and 2022. We show that over the three years of the pandemic, not only did the level of excess mortality rate change considerably, but also its geographical distribution. Focusing on life expectancy as a summary measure of mortality conditions, we find that the variance of regional life expectancy increased sharply in 2021 but returned to the pre-pandemic level in 2022.

Climate change and dairy farming sustainability; a causal loop paradox and its mitigation scenario.

It is arguable at this time whether climate change is a cause or effect of the disruption in dairy farming. Climate change drastically affects the productive performance of livestock, including milk and meat production, and this could be attributed to the deviation of energy resources towards adaptive mechanisms. However, livestock farming also contributes substantially to the existing greenhouse gas pool, which is the causal of the climate change.

Developing and testing culturally relevant bolt-on items for EQ-5D-5L in Chinese populations: a mixed-methods study protocol.

Introduction: EQ-5D is one of the most frequently used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures but has been found to be insensitive in detecting differences in health status in some general populations and disease groups. For example, the appropriateness of applying EQ-5D in the Chinese cultural setting has been widely discussed. Adding additional HRQoL dimensions (bolt-on items) can be a solution to both retain the original descriptive system of EQ-5D, while enhancing its sensitivity to the local context.

The metabolic effect of cannot be determined based on the available clinical evidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Several studies have shown that L. (Cucurbitaceae, bitter melon) has beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and exerts antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity activities. Since the findings of these studies are contradictory, the goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of bitter melon in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, with special emphasis on the anti-diabetic effect.

The Reporting Quality of Machine Learning Studies on Pediatric Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major health concern among children with the widespread adoption of advanced technologies. However, concerns are growing about the transparency, replicability, biasedness, and overall validity of artificial intelligence studies in medicine.

Objective: We aimed to systematically review the reporting quality of machine learning (ML) studies of pediatric DM using the Minimum Information About Clinical Artificial Intelligence Modelling (MI-CLAIM) checklist, a general reporting guideline for medical artificial intelligence studies.

Financial Toxicity Experiences of Patients With Cancer in Indonesia: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Objectives: Financial toxicity (FT) is an important adverse effect of cancer. Recent systematic reviews have shown that FT may lead to treatment nonadherence and impaired health-related quality of life, both of which may adversely influence the survival rates of patients. However, less is known about how patients endure FT, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Benefits and Harms of Edible Vegetable Oils and Fats Fortified with Vitamins A and D as a Public Health Intervention in the General Population: A Systematic Review of Interventions.

This systematic review aims to assess whether edible vegetable oils and fats fortified with vitamin A and/or D are effective and safe in improving vitamin intake and ameliorating deficiency states in the general population. In November 2022, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP (International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSI) investigating the fortification of edible vegetable oils and fats with either vitamin A or vitamin D or both as compared to the same vegetable oils and/or fats without vitamin A and D fortification or no interventions, in the general population, without age restriction.

Optimizing Digital Tools for the Field of Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders: Backcasting Exercise.

Background: Substance use trends are complex; they often rapidly evolve and necessitate an intersectional approach in research, service, and policy making. Current and emerging digital tools related to substance use are promising but also create a range of challenges and opportunities.

Objective: This paper reports on a backcasting exercise aimed at the development of a roadmap that identifies values, challenges, facilitators, and milestones to achieve optimal use of digital tools in the substance use field by 2030.

A concept for multi-winner tenders for medicinal products with balancing between efficient prices, long-term competition and sustainability of supply.

Achieving price efficiency via tenders, the sustainability of competition, and the prevention of shortages are hot topics in the debates about shaping the pharmaceutical markets. Single-winner tenders receive growing criticism for concentrating on achieving low prices at the expense of the long-term maintenance of a competitive pharmaceutical industry, the security of continuous supply, and disregarding the therapeutic needs of patient populations with specific conditions. This paper aims at drafting a concept to assist the design of multi-winner tenders for medicinal products with a focus on supply and sales guarantees, price efficiency, and equity in access.

Comparing methods to predict baseline mortality for excess mortality calculations.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO)'s excess mortality estimates presented in May 2022 stirred controversy, due in part to the high estimate provided for Germany, which was later attributed to the spline model used. This paper aims to reproduce the problem using synthetic datasets, thus allowing the investigation of its sensitivity to parameters, both of the mortality curve and of the used method, thereby shedding light on the conditions that gave rise to this error and identifying possible remedies.

Methods: A negative binomial model was used accounting for long-term change, seasonality, flu seasons, and heat waves.

Highlighting the Use of the Hepatoprotective Nutritional Supplements among Patients with Chronic Diseases.

Cross-sectional studies, while not considered glamorous endeavors, are firmly anchored in data and statistics, providing essential insights about public health. The aim of the study is to see the frequency of hepatoprotective (HP) nutritional supplement consumption among patients with chronic diseases (other than chronic liver disorders) and analyzes the habits related to the consumption of nutritional supplements among these patients. A total of 954 patients, seeking medical prescriptions for chronic diseases under various payment arrangements (compensated, gratuity, or full payment) were carefully selected over a 12-month period from four private pharmaceutical facilities.

A large-scale empirical investigation of specialization in criminal career.

We use a comprehensive longitudinal dataset on criminal acts over 6 years in a European country to study specialization in criminal careers. We present a method to cluster crime categories by their relative co-occurrence within criminal careers, deriving a natural, data-based taxonomy of criminal specialization. Defining specialists as active criminals who stay within one category of offending behavior, we study their socio-demographic attributes, geographic range, and positions in their collaboration networks relative to their generalist counterparts.

Content validity of the EQ-5D-5L with skin irritation and self-confidence bolt-ons in patients with atopic dermatitis: a qualitative think-aloud study.

Objectives: Two bolt-on dimensions (skin irritation, self-confidence) have been developed for the EQ-5D-5L to improve its content validity and responsiveness in psoriasis. However, the two bolt-ons are not strictly psoriasis-specific and are potentially relevant in other skin conditions. This study aims to explore the content validity of the EQ-5D-5L with two bolt-ons in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

The identification of economically relevant health and social care services for mental disorders in the PECUNIA project.

Background: Health economic research is still facing significant problems regarding the standardization and international comparability of health care services. As a result, comparative effectiveness studies and cost-effectiveness analyses are often not comparable. This study is part of the PECUNIA project, which aimed to improve the comparability of economic evaluations by developing instruments for the internationally standardized measurement and valuation of health care services for mental disorders.

Real-World Experience with Cemiplimab Treatment for Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Background: The systemic treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has seen significant developments in recent years. The anti-PD1 inhibitor cemiplimab has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, but real-world data are still limited. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of cemiplimab in a real-world clinical setting.

The paradox of closing mutual funds to new investors.

I provide an explanation for the well-established paradox that mutual funds that close to new investors fail to maintain their pre-closure positive abnormal performance after closing. Using a large sample of active US equity mutual funds, I find that the within-style performance ranks of closed funds revert to the mean as strongly as those of a control group of open funds. Furthermore, I show that funds that are closed do not drastically alter their investment allocations and hold portfolios that are indistinguishable from their portfolios prior to closing in terms of risk-adjusted performance.

Hungarian population norms for the 15D generic preference-accompanied health status measure.

Objectives: 15D is a generic preference-accompanied health status measure covering a wide range of health areas, including sensory functions. The aim of this study was to establish population norms for the 15D instrument in Hungary.

Methods: 2000 members of the Hungarian adult general population participated in an online cross-sectional survey in August 2021.