Tag: nevin manimala

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30779-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The measurement of performance within the water industry holds significant importance for policymakers, as it can help guide decision-making for future development and management initiatives. In this study, we apply data envelopment analysis (DEA) cross-efficiency techniques to evaluate the productivity change of the Chilean water industry during the years 2010-2018. Water leakage and unplanned interruptions are included in the analysis as quality of service variables. Moreover, we use cluster analysis and regression techniques to better understand what drives productivity change of water companies. The results indicate that the Chilean water industry is characterized by considerable high levels of inefficiency and low levels of productivity change. This is due to the existence of technical regress whereas gains in efficiency were small. Concessionary water companies were found to be more productive than full private and public water companies. Best and worst performers need to make efforts to reduce production costs and improve service quality. Other factors such as customer density and ownership type statistically affect productivity.

PMID:37945962 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-30779-z

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30660-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The reduction of haze and carbon emissions is extremely important for promoting sustainable development, improving air quality, enhancing health, and mitigating climate change. However, there is not enough research available on the impact of fiscal decentralization in China on the management of carbon and haze reduction. In order to thoroughly examine the effects of Chinese-style fiscal decentralization on the synergy between haze reduction and carbon reduction in different provinces, this study utilizes a dynamic spatial panel Durbin model using Han-Phillips Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation and a multi-scale geographically and temporally weighted regression model. Our findings indicate that the eastern region consistently takes the lead in reducing haze and achieving carbon synergy. Fiscal technology decentralization has a direct positive impact and spatial spillover effect on carbon haze synergy with significant inverted U-shaped characteristics. These effects primarily arise from the promotion of technological innovation through fiscal technology decentralization. Furthermore, the influence of decentralizing fiscal technology expenditures on the degree of synergy between haze mitigation and carbon reduction varies significantly across China’s provinces, both spatially and temporally. This entails promoting coordination between fiscal decentralization and policies related to haze and carbon emission reduction and encouraging information sharing, technology exchange, and collaborative projects between different regions to create a synergistic linkage effect. This will help achieve joint development and environmental protection goals in all regions. The discoveries carry significant consequences for directing the synchronized administration of haze and carbon and can serve as a solid basis for governmental decision-making aimed at enhancing air quality and attaining carbon neutrality through collaborative actions and policies.

PMID:37945950 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-30660-z

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30673-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive understanding of carbon emission reduction and decoupling in urban agglomerations of the Yellow River Basin (YRB) has significant theoretical and practical value for formulating precise carbon reduction policies and achieving ecological conservation and high-quality development in the region. This study utilized a generalized Divisia index decomposition model to identify the primary driving factors behind carbon emission changes in urban agglomerations of the YRB. Based on this, a model measuring decoupling efforts was constructed to systematically investigate the decoupling relationship between carbon emissions. The research findings indicate that technological progress and output scale are two primary drivers of carbon emission increases in the YRB and its urban agglomerations, whereas technological carbon intensity, output carbon intensity, and energy carbon intensity play key roles in reducing carbon emissions. Except for a few years, the YRB and Jiziwan metropolitan area (JWMA) did not exhibit decoupling effects on carbon emissions. The Shandong Peninsula Urban Agglomeration (SPUA) and Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA) showed strong decoupling effects from 2016 to 2019. The Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration (GPUA) demonstrated a strong decoupling effect from 2013 to 2019 (except from 2016 to 2017). The Lanxi Urban Agglomeration (LXUA) exhibited a strong decoupling effect from 2014 to 2019. Technological carbon intensity plays a decisive role in the transition from non-decoupling to decoupling. Therefore, the government must increase investments in green and low-carbon technologies and strictly implement carbon reduction measures. Thus, the YRB and its urban agglomerations have considerable potential for carbon emission reduction and strong decoupling effects.

PMID:37945949 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-30673-8

Support Care Cancer. 2023 Nov 10;31(12):684. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08158-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between self-disclosure, coping styles, and benefit finding (BF) among caregivers of cancer patients. The study also aimed to identify the factors influencing BF and the impact of coping styles on the relationship between self-disclosure and BF.

METHODS: Convenience sampling was used to select 300 caregivers of cancer patients aged greater than 18 years from October 2022 to April 2023 in Chengdu, China. The demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), the Distress Disclosure Index Scale (DDI), and the Simple Coping Style Scale (SCSQ) for caregivers were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression models were used. The effect of mediation was tested by the PROCESS macro (Model 4) for SPSS 26.0 by Hayes using 5000 bootstrap samples.

RESULTS: There were 292 valid questionnaires (effective response rate 97.33%). The total scores of BF, self-disclosure, negative coping style, and positive coping style of caregivers were 67.77 ± 14.78, 38.23 ± 8.59, 19.68 ± 5.98, and 9.88 ± 4.18, respectively; Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that BF was positively correlated with self-disclosure, positive coping, and negatively correlated with negative coping; multiple linear regression analysis showed that self-disclosure, positive coping, and negative coping were influential factors of BF. The results revealed that the effect of self-disclosure on BF was partly mediated by coping styles. It also confirmed that the mediation effect accounted for 54.03% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION: The BF of caregivers is at a moderate level. Self-disclosure may influence BF partly because of coping styles.

PMID:37945919 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-023-08158-8

Nat Genet. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1038/s41588-023-01534-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The transferability and clinical value of genetic risk scores (GRSs) across populations remain limited due to an imbalance in genetic studies across ancestrally diverse populations. Here we conducted a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of 156,319 prostate cancer cases and 788,443 controls of European, African, Asian and Hispanic men, reflecting a 57% increase in the number of non-European cases over previous prostate cancer genome-wide association studies. We identified 187 novel risk variants for prostate cancer, increasing the total number of risk variants to 451. An externally replicated multi-ancestry GRS was associated with risk that ranged from 1.8 (per standard deviation) in African ancestry men to 2.2 in European ancestry men. The GRS was associated with a greater risk of aggressive versus non-aggressive disease in men of African ancestry (P = 0.03). Our study presents novel prostate cancer susceptibility loci and a GRS with effective risk stratification across ancestry groups.

PMID:37945903 | DOI:10.1038/s41588-023-01534-4

J Community Health. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1007/s10900-023-01287-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been shown to improve food and economic security, advance health and educational outcomes, and reduce health costs. Despite proven benefits, 54% of those eligible for WIC in Denver County are not enrolled, likely due to documented barriers including stigma, psychological costs, administrative resources, and physical access. In partnership with Denver County WIC, Denver Health’s Federally Qualified Health Centers collaborated to create a Specialized WIC Co-Enrollment program to integrate WIC services into pediatric well-child and obstetric visits. WIC Co-Enrollment programmatic data were collected using a REDCap database. Program participant feedback and experiences were gathered through a bilingual survey after visits were completed. Program staff feedback and experiences were collected through third-party interviews and anonymous surveys. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis. Between March 2021 and December 2022, 1,870 families were served in Specialized WIC Co-Enrollment appointments, serving a total of 3,347 individuals. Participants noted positive experiences and that receiving WIC services during healthcare visits saved them time, money, childcare, and transportation. Staff and providers noted the program was convenient for families and offered system-level benefits such as improved interprofessional collaboration and clinic efficiency. Specialized WIC Co-Enrollment has been popular among participants, providers, and staff. Integrating WIC services in a health system leverages existing touchpoints with Medicaid beneficiaries and eliminates barriers to accessing the WIC program, which could be beneficial in other communities where assistance program enrollment gaps exist.

PMID:37945779 | DOI:10.1007/s10900-023-01287-5

Environ Monit Assess. 2023 Nov 10;195(12):1445. doi: 10.1007/s10661-023-12072-1.

ABSTRACT

Wind erosion is one of the most critical problems in arid and semi-arid regions. The wind transports only dry soil, and no soil with a wet surface can be moved. The study aimed to investigate the changes in wind erosion potential in the coastal plains of Hormozgan province, Iran. Data from four synoptic stations from 1988 to 2017, as well as outputs from four climate models, namely HadGEM-2-CC, CSIRO-MK3- 6-0, ACCESS1-3 and CNRM-CM5, based on two Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, were used for the analysis. The outputs of climate models were ensembled and downscaled using the Change Factor statistical downscaling method. The downscaled data showed good accuracy in representing the large-scale GCM data. Furthermore, the “Potential of Wind Erosion Occurrence” was calculated for monthly and annual time scales using the Mann-Kendall nonparametric trend test. The results indicated that there were no significant trends in wind erosion occurrence during the base period (i.e., 1988 to 2017). However, it was projected that the “potential for wind erosion occurrence” and the “percentage of windy days associated with drought” would increase in the near future (i.e., 2031 to 2060) under both Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Interestingly, both scenarios showed a decreasing trend in wind erosion occurrence in the far future (i.e., 2071 to 2100). This suggests that changes in wind patterns play a significant role in shaping wind erosion potential, while daily precipitation does not have a significant impact on this trend.

PMID:37945771 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-023-12072-1

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1007/s00266-023-03738-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Creating an appropriate treatment plan for patients with dermatochalasis requires careful investigation of the periocular region. Utilizing photographic documentation can assist physicians in conducting preoperative analysis and managing expectations regarding surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to quantify the periocular characteristics of dermatochalasis patients using standardized 3D imaging and to compare age and sex-related changes in periocular features.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 145 Caucasian patients with periocular dermatochalasis, comprising 48 men and 97 women, aged between 35 and 91 years. Standardized three-dimensional facial photographs were taken using the 3D Imaging system VECTRA M3. Linear dimensions, curve length, angle, indices, and sizes were measured and analyzed, including palpebral fissure height (PFH), palpebral fissure width (PFW), upper lid fold-palpebral margin distance (FPD), upper palpebral margin length (UPML), lower palpebral margin length (LPML), canthal tilt (CT), palpebral fissure index (PFI), upper eyelid area, and ocular surface area.

RESULTS: In the female group, the left-side PFH was slightly larger than the right-side PFH (P = 0.023), but the difference was less than 1mm. The corresponding PFI also showed a difference in the female group (P = 0.009). Statistically significant differences were shown in genders for specific parameters, except PFI (P = 0.251) and CT (P = 0.098). Among males, PFW (R = -0.523, p < 0.001) and LPML (R = -0.514, P = 0.264) decreased moderately with age. The correlation between UPML and age was weak (R = -0.367, P = 0.010). Similarly, among females, moderate correlations were found between age and PFW (R = -0.566, P < 0.001) and LPML (R = -0.537, P < 0.001). Additionally, PFH (R = -0.315, P = 0.002), UPML (R = -0.381, P < 0.001), and ocular surface area (R = -0.457, P < 0.001) showed weak correlations with age.

CONCLUSIONS: The study found that dermatochalasis usually affects both eyes simultaneously, and age is a significant factor in the morphological changes of certain periocular features regardless of sex. The PFI is not influenced by age or sex. These findings may provide useful information for surgical planning and understanding age-related changes in the periocular area.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

PMID:37945760 | DOI:10.1007/s00266-023-03738-9

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2023 Nov;58(Suppl 1):696-699. doi: 10.1038/s41409-023-02065-6.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37945730 | DOI:10.1038/s41409-023-02065-6

Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 9;13(1):19498. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-46825-2.

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to investigate the usefulness of the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) in anaerobic performance estimation in trained and untrained girls U12, and the effect of an 8-week training period in female U12 soccer players on anaerobic performance. A comparative study of two structurally different anaerobic tests was performed to reach the goal. The study was designed as a non-randomized, controlled before-and-after trial. Fourteen female soccer players (FSP) and twelve untrained girls (UNT) participated in the study. During that time, all participants were subjected to school’s physical education classes and the FSP additionally participated in regular soccer training. The anaerobic performance was evaluated twice, within 8-weeks period, using the traditional Wingate test (WAnT) and the RAST. A significant increase in the anaerobic performance of the FSP was noted (p < 0.05). In both tests peak, average, and relative power were significantly improved (p < 0.005). Nevertheless, strong, statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlation coefficients (0.50 < r < 0.70) were found for pre-training measurements between the WAnT and the RAST power parameters in absolute values. In UNT group significant improvement was found in peak, average and min power (p < 0.05) in the RAST. The improvement in anaerobic performance after training along with the strong correlation noted between the WAnT and the RAST power parameters prove the usefulness of the RAST in assessing anaerobic capacity in female youth athletes. Its simplicity encourages its use in monitoring anaerobic capacity in both trained and untrained girls.

PMID:37945713 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-46825-2