Rapid technological advancements are driving embodied intelligent robots from laboratories to real-life applications to serve as a key force reshaping the future way of life.Like many other revolutionary technologies,...Rapid technological advancements are driving embodied intelligent robots from laboratories to real-life applications to serve as a key force reshaping the future way of life.Like many other revolutionary technologies,while sparking utopian visions of the future,the development of embodied intelligence has aroused concerns about safety risks, emotional ethics, and socio-cultural implications.展开更多
This study examines the socio-economic profile of livestock farmers in coastal Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 43 people were interviewed using well-structured questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using de...This study examines the socio-economic profile of livestock farmers in coastal Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 43 people were interviewed using well-structured questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive methods. The results showed that local Lagoon breeders are divided into two zones: southwest and southeast. Breeders in the south-western region are generally located in two sub-prefectures of the Tabou Department (Grabo and Oulodio). Tabou’s department alone accounts for 42% of the Lagoon breed in Côte d’Ivoire. Agriculture in this area is traditionally sedentary, practiced for social reasons. On the other hand, the south-eastern zone, located in the departments of Aboisso, Adzopé, Agboville, Grand-Lahou, Jacqueville, Abidjan, Dabou and Sikensi, represents 58% of the Lagoon breeding area in Côte d’Ivoire. This second group is characterised by improved breeding. Most of the farmers interviewed in this zone breed for economic reasons. However, the risk of cross-breeding, which already affects the local Lagoon breed, could be increased by the presence of other species such as the Zebu and Ndamas, or even the Baoulé, in this south-eastern herd.展开更多
There is currently a dearth of information pertaining to socio-demographic factors and eating practices in a multicultural country like Mauritius. This study was therefore undertaken to probe the different eating prac...There is currently a dearth of information pertaining to socio-demographic factors and eating practices in a multicultural country like Mauritius. This study was therefore undertaken to probe the different eating practices among an adult sample population in Mauritius in an endeavor to establish significant relationships, if any, with common socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. A self-designed questionnaire, (randomly distributed to n = 387 adults), pertaining to socio-demographic variables, vegetarianism, breakfast patterns, eating out of home meals (OHMs), food frequency questions and dieting practices were asked. Males (21 - 40 yrs) had a significantly (p 0.05) to adherence to the recommendations for the consumption of fish. The socio-demographic factors most influential towards eating practices were gender, age and socio-economic status represented by education and occupation. In conclusion, relationships recorded in the present study were comparable to Western eating practices and the availability of certain foods has compelled Mauritians to develop its own and unique eating patterns which can be of relevance in providing accurate health targets for future nutrition interventions in Mauritius.展开更多
American intellectuals of different generations and in various eras,with a strong sense of social responsibility and a critical mind,have dedicated themselves in revealing some major problems existing in American educ...American intellectuals of different generations and in various eras,with a strong sense of social responsibility and a critical mind,have dedicated themselves in revealing some major problems existing in American education,namely educational inequality,declining academic performance,inadequate funding,and school violence.By describing and probing into these problems from a socio-cultural perspective,they offer a solution of eliminating the socio-economic inequality in America,which is fundamental and essential.展开更多
The main purpose of this study was to examine the association between sociodemographic factors (gender, place of residence, level of education, geopolitical zone, and socioeconomic status) and HCT uptake among young p...The main purpose of this study was to examine the association between sociodemographic factors (gender, place of residence, level of education, geopolitical zone, and socioeconomic status) and HCT uptake among young people in Nigeria. The study is a quantitative research guided by one research question and one hypothesis. The target population comprised young people in Nigeria ages 15 to 24 years because the focus of this study was to identify the factors affecting HCT uptake among young people in this age cohort. The representative sample was obtained from the updated master sample frame of rural and urban zones developed by the National Population Commission in Nigeria. This master sample frame was a national survey that comprises all 36 states in Nigeria. Probability sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 10,091 respondents (ages 15 to 24 years) for the study. The multistage cluster sampling was used to select suitable young people with known probability. Data were collected throughout Nigeria between September and December 2012 from 32,543 households (rural = 22,192;urban = 10,351) using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The individual questionnaires asked about household characteristics, background characteristics of the respondents. Data were analyzed by inputting them into SPSS v21.0 for analysis and then coded them for each participant. The data were summed using descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages;measures of central tendencies were used to answer the research question while nonparametric test such as chi-square was used to analyze non-normally distributed data at 0.5 level of significance. Results of data analysis indicated that the sociodemographic variables of gender, place of residence, level of education, geopolitical zone, and SES were significantly associated with HCT uptake. Among others, it was recommended that examining the efficacy of HCT treatments in Nigeria, along with conducting a demographic analysis of the at-risk population, could be beneficial in informing the authorities who are responsible for allocating finite medical resources.展开更多
In the contemporary world, there are three interconnected global environmental crises (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution). The common thread is the unsustainable pattern of production and consumption, w...In the contemporary world, there are three interconnected global environmental crises (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution). The common thread is the unsustainable pattern of production and consumption, which leads to international and local socio-environmental injustices. Seeking environmental justice in Brazil, the success of the rubber tapper social movement stands out, culminating in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve (RESEX) implementation in the Brazilian Amazon. However, the residents have struggled to generate income to help their families’ social reproduction. Conventional payment instruments for environmental services have failed to remunerate the socio-environmental attributes of sustainable products adequately. This paper aims to carry out a socio-environmental economic-ecological valuation of the main extractive products of the RESEX in 2021/2022. To this end, a methodology calculates the cost of social reproduction of rural family production, being a non-market price index reference for monetary valuation. The results indicate the acceptability of the socio-environmental valuation of native rubber and Brazil nuts, as they can guarantee environmental conservation, improve the families’ well-being with adequate income for their social reproduction, as well as value attributes outside the market, which helps in the fight against further expropriation or enclosure of rural families in the Amazon.展开更多
To identify the determinant of the occurrence of IUD expulsion Materials & Methods Based on 25 733 IUD uses from the Chinese Two per Thousand Fertility Survey data, this study examines the patterns and differe...To identify the determinant of the occurrence of IUD expulsion Materials & Methods Based on 25 733 IUD uses from the Chinese Two per Thousand Fertility Survey data, this study examines the patterns and differentials of IUD expulsion rate by characteristics of women, and identifies the socio demographic determinants of IUD expulsion. A Life Table method was used to calculate the cumulative expulsion rate and a random effects discrete time survival model was employed to assess the impact of potential determinants simultaneously on the risk of expelling an IUD. Results Three major findings are observed in this study. First, IUD expulsion was the second main reason, after pregnancy during IUD use, for IUD discontinuation during the first four years of IUD insertion; the expulsion rates were 6.4%, 9.1%, 10.8 %, and 12.0% at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Second, there was a clustering of IUD expulsion: some women experienced repeated IUD expulsions. Third, some socio demographic characteristics and fertility history were associated with the occurrence of IUD expulsion. In particular, the expulsion rate was high among young women, among those with two or more children and among those living in rural areas. Conclusion The above mentioned factors shoald be addressed in order to decrease the IUD expulsion rate and enhance the reprocluctive he alth of women.展开更多
The Karst of Southwest China is a typical representative of poverty stricken region with impoverishment-degradation spiral. To essentially break away from this vicious circle, the local ecology, economy and society s...The Karst of Southwest China is a typical representative of poverty stricken region with impoverishment-degradation spiral. To essentially break away from this vicious circle, the local ecology, economy and society should be rehabilitated, and hence to strengthen the self-development capacity building of the localities. Two considerations are stressed in this article: (1) Poverty alleviation is a system project with great complexities. Any single approach is difficult to success and integrated measures should be taken. (2) Some typical and feasible areas should be selected to demonstrate the project of poverty alleviation and ecological, socio-economic reconstruction. Then, they can be used as a model to promote the sustainable development of the whole region. Based upon these ideals, a project entitled “Reversal of Impoverishment-Degradation Spiral in the Karst of Southwest China' was proposed and has been listed in 《Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21》.展开更多
China has made great progress in the study of socio-economic water cycle. She has completed national water resources appraisement and medium to long-term water supply planning. She has been engaging in study on water-...China has made great progress in the study of socio-economic water cycle. She has completed national water resources appraisement and medium to long-term water supply planning. She has been engaging in study on water-deficient regions in North China and Northwest China for about half a century. For solving water shortage problem in northern China, she has put forward the famous South-to-North Water Transferring Projects, which has been set as one of the four biggest national projects in the Tenth Five-Year-Plan period although there are still debates. For promoting water use efficiency, China has been reforming her water management system, including water right system and water price system. There has already been a case of water right purchase. China has also done a lot of research on the interaction between human activity, water and ecosystem. For meeting the need of sustainability and coordinating water resources development and environmental protection, the study of ecological water requirement became very hot in recent years. There are three focuses of socio-economic water cycle study now in China: water transfer projects from the south to the north, water resources management and ecological water requirement.展开更多
For the scientific management of farmland, it is significant to understand the spatio-temporal variability of soil organic matter and to study the influences of related factors. Using geostatistical theory, GIS spatia...For the scientific management of farmland, it is significant to understand the spatio-temporal variability of soil organic matter and to study the influences of related factors. Using geostatistical theory, GIS spatial analysis, trend analysis and a Geographically Weighted Regression （GWR） model, this study analyzed the response of soil organic matter to climate and socio-economic factors in central Heilongjiang Province during the past 25 years. Second soil survey data of China for 1979-1985, 2005 field sampling data, climate observations and socio-economic data for 1980-2005 were analyzed. First, soil organic matter in 2005 was spatially interpolated using the Co-Kriging method along with auxiliary data sets of soil type and pH. The spatio-temporal variability was then studied by comparison with the 1980s second soil census data. Next, the temporal trends in climate and socio-economic factors over the past 25 years were investigated. Finally, we examined the variation of the response of soil organic matter to climate and socio-economic factors using the GWR model spatially and temporally. The model showed that 53.82% area of the organic matter content remained constant and 29.39% has decreased during the past 25 years. The impact of precipitation on organic matter content is mainly negative, with increasing absolute values of the regression coefficient. The absolute value of regression coefficient of annual average temperature has decreased, and more areas are now under its negative effects. In addition, the areas of positive regression coefficient of annual sunshine hours have northward shifted, with the increasing absolute value of positive coefficient and decreasing absolute value of negative coefficient. The areas of positive regression coefficient of mechanized farming as a socio-economic factor have westward shifted, with the increasing absolute value of negative coefficient and decreasing absolute value of positive coefficient. The area of regions with the positive regression coefficient of irrigation has expanded. The regions with positive regression coefficient of fertilizer use have shrinked. The positive regression coefficient of mulch film consumption has significantly increased. The regression coefficient of pesticide consumption was mainly positive in the west of the study area, while it was negative to the east. Generally, GWR model is capable to investigate the influence of both climatic and socio-economic factors, avoided the insufficiency of other research based on the single perspective of climatic or socio-economic factors. Therefore, we can conclude that GWR model could provide methodological support for global change research and serve as basic reference for cultivated land quality improvement and agricultural decision making.展开更多
In recent years, the role of human activities in changing sediment yield has become more apparent for the construction of hydraulic engineering and water conservation projections in the Upper Yangtze River, but it has...In recent years, the role of human activities in changing sediment yield has become more apparent for the construction of hydraulic engineering and water conservation projections in the Upper Yangtze River, but it has not been evaluated at the macro scale. Taking Sichuan Province and Chongqing City as an example, this paper studies the relationship between socio-economic factors and sediment yield in the Upper Yangtze River based on section data in 1989 and 2007. The results show that sediment yield is significantly correlated with population density and cultivated area, in which the former appears to be more closely related to sediment yield. Moreover, in the relation of sediment yield vs. population density, a critical value of population density exists, below which the sediment yield increases with the increase of population density and over which the sediment yield increases with the decrease of population density. The phenomenon essentially reflects the influence of natural factors, such as topography, precipitation and soil property, and some human activities on sediment yield. The region with a higher population density than critical value is located in the east of the study area and is characterized by plains, hills and low mountains, whereas the opposite is located in the west and characterized by middle and high mountains. In the eastern region, more people live on the lands with a low slope where regional soil erosion is slight; therefore, sediment yield is negatively related with population density. In contrast, in the western region, the population tends to aggregate in the areas with abundant soil and water resources which usually lead to a higher intensity of natural erosion, and in turn, high-intensity agricultural practices in these areas may further strengthen local soil erosion. It is also found that population tends to move from the areas with bad environment and high sediment yield to the areas with more comfortable environment and less sediment yield. The natural factors have greater influence on sediment yield of western region than that of eastern region. Generally, the natural factors play a dominant role on sediment yield in the Upper Yangtze River.展开更多
Objective To determine the associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with active and passive smoking in older adults. Methods Using a standard interview method, we examined random samples of 6071 people ...Objective To determine the associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with active and passive smoking in older adults. Methods Using a standard interview method, we examined random samples of 6071 people aged 〉 60 years in 5 provinces of China during 2007-2009. Results World age-standardised prevalence for current and former smoking in men was 45.6% and 20.5%, and in women 11.1% and 4.5%. Current smoking reduced with older age but increased with men, low socioeconomic status （SES）, alcohol drinking, being never-married, pessimistic and depressive syndromes. Former smoking was associated with men, secondary school education, a middle-high income, being a businessman, being widowed, less frequencies of visiting children/relatives and friends, and worrying about children. Among 3774 never-smokers, the prevalence of passive smoking was 31.5%, and the risk increased with women, low SES, alcohol drinking, being married, having a religious believe, and daily visiting children/relatives. There were sex differences in the associations, and an interaction effect of education and income on smoking and passive smoking. Conclusion Older Chinese had a higher level of smoking and passive smoking than those in high income countries, reflecting China＇s failures in controlling smoking. The associations with low SES and different psychosocial aspects and sex differences suggest preventative strategies for active and passive smoking.展开更多
The interaction between urban space and individual behavior has led to essential social, economic and environmental consequences. Behavioral geography provides a new effective theoretical and methodological framework ...The interaction between urban space and individual behavior has led to essential social, economic and environmental consequences. Behavioral geography provides a new effective theoretical and methodological framework to investigate behavior patterns in cities. In recent years, behavior approach has become an influential analytical paradigm in Chinese urban geography. This paper provides an overview of behavioral geography research in China, by introducing the theoretical and empirical progress in behavior analysis. It is argued that behavioral approach offers a new perspective to understanding China＇s urban sociospatial reconstruction and addressing social and environmental issues at micro scale. Although theoretical development still lags behind developed countries, Chinese scholars have made much progress in empirical investigations of classical socio-spatial behavior theories. This paper also provides an overview of new trends in Chinese behavioral geography that has started to apply the behavioral approach to urban social, economic and environmental issues. This paper suggests that social dimensions of behavior should be addressed more comprehensively and rigorously by using interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological frameworks, to better understand the complexity of Chinese cities and research the critical social and environmental issues in cities.展开更多
Floods are the most devastating hazards that have significant adverse impacts on people and their livelihoods. Their impacts can be reduced by investing on: 1) improving the forecasting skills of extreme and heavy rai...Floods are the most devastating hazards that have significant adverse impacts on people and their livelihoods. Their impacts can be reduced by investing on: 1) improving the forecasting skills of extreme and heavy rainfall events, 2) development of Impacts Based Flood Early Warning System (IBFEWS) and 3) effective communication of impacts from anticipated extreme or heavy rainfall event. The development of IBFEWS however, requires a complete understanding of factors that relates to the formation of extreme or heavy rainfall events and their associated socio-economic impacts. This information is crucial in the development of Impacts Based Flood Forecasting Models (IBFFMs). In this study, we assess the socio-economic impacts of the December 2011 flood event in Dar es Salaam as the preliminary stage in the development of IBFFMs for the City of Dar es Salaam. Data from household survey collected using systematic random sampling techniques and structured questionnaires are used. The survey was conducted to acquire respondent’s views on the causes of floods impacts, adaptive capacity to extreme or heavy rainfall events and adaptation options to minimize flood impact. It is found that the main causes of floods were river overflow due to heavy rainfall and blocked drainage system. Poor infrastructure such as drainage and sewage systems, and ocean surge were identified to be the causes of observed impacts of the December 2011 flood event in Dar es Salaam. Death cases analysis showed that 43 people were reported dead. The flood event damaged properties worth of 7.5 million Tanzania shillings. Furthermore, the Tanzania Government spent a total amount of 1.83 billion Tanzanian shillings to rescue and relocate vulnerable communities that lived-in low-lying areas of Jagwani to high ground areas of Mabwepande in Kinondoni district.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the association between various lifestyle factors and achalasia risk.METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Northern Ireland, including n = 151 achalasia cases and n = 117 age...AIM: To evaluate the association between various lifestyle factors and achalasia risk.METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Northern Ireland, including n = 151 achalasia cases and n = 117 age- and sexmatched controls. Lifestyle factors were assessed via a face-to-face structured interview. The association between achalasia and lifestyle factors was assessed by unconditional logistic regression, to produce odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence interval(CI).RESULTS: Individuals who had low-class occupations were at the highest risk of achalasia(OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.02-3.45), inferring that high-class occupation holders have a reduced risk of achalasia. A history of foreign travel, a lifestyle factor linked to upper socioeconomic class, was also associated with a reduced risk of achalasia(OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.35-0.99). Smoking and alcohol consumption carried significantly reduced risks of achalasia, even after adjustment for socio-economic status. The presence of pets in the house was associated with a two-fold increased risk of achalasia(OR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.17-3.42). Nochildhood household factors were associated with achalasia risk.CONCLUSION: Achalasia is a disease of inequality, and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds are at highest risk. This does not appear to be due to corresponding alcohol and smoking behaviours. An observed positive association between pet ownership and achalasia risk suggests an interaction between endotoxin and viral infection exposure in achalasia aetiology.展开更多
Hydrological models are often linked with other models in cognate sciences to understand the interactions among climate, earth, water, ecosystem, and human society. This paper presents the development and implementati...Hydrological models are often linked with other models in cognate sciences to understand the interactions among climate, earth, water, ecosystem, and human society. This paper presents the development and implementation of a decision support system（DSS） that links the outputs of hydrological models with real-time decision making on social-economic assessments and land use management. Discharge and glacier geometry changes were simulated with hydrological model, water availability in semiarid environments. Irrigation and ecological water were simulated by a new commercial software MIKE HYDRO. Groundwater was simulated by MODFLOW. All the outputs of theses hydrological models were taken as inputs into the DSS in three types of links： regression equations, stationary data inputs, or dynamic data inputs as the models running parallel in the simulation periods. The DSS integrates the hydrological data, geographic data, social and economic statistical data, and establishes the relationships with equations, conditional statements and fuzzy logics. The programming is realized in C＋＋. The DSS has four remarkable features：（1） editable land use maps to assist decision-making;（2） conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources;（3） interactions among water, earth, ecosystem, and humans; and（4） links with hydrological models. The overall goal of the DSS is to combine the outputs of scientific models, knowledge of experts, and perspectives of stakeholders, into a computer-based system, which allows sustainability impact assessment within regional planning; and to understand ecosystem services and integrate them into land and water management.展开更多
For the purpose of accommodating the relationship between the protection of nature reserve and the development of local society and economy,this paper,taking Dalian Chengshantou Nature Reserve as a study area and PRA ...For the purpose of accommodating the relationship between the protection of nature reserve and the development of local society and economy,this paper,taking Dalian Chengshantou Nature Reserve as a study area and PRA as a main research method,investigated and analyzed the status of social and economical development and the existing problems in the study area. The result shows that: the contradictory between the protection of nature reserve and the local development of social and economical activities are still prominent,and the principle of " integration of protection and reasonable development" proposed by the general plan of nature reserve has not reached the expected result.Therefore,further efforts should be made firstly to accommodating relationship between the protection of nature reserve and the local development activities,secondly to accelerating the development of eco-tourism and the relevant service industries in accordance with the local practical situations,and finally to promoting the sustainable development of both the protection of nature reserve and the local society and economy.展开更多
Background: Preventing anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injuries is important to avoid long-term adverse health consequences. Identifying barriers to implementation of these prevention programs is crucial to reducing t...Background: Preventing anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injuries is important to avoid long-term adverse health consequences. Identifying barriers to implementation of these prevention programs is crucial to reducing the incidence of these injuries. Our purpose was to identify barriers of implementation for ACL injury prevention programs and suggest mechanisms for reducing the barriers through application of a SocioEcological Model(SEM).Methods: Studies investigating ACL prevention program effectiveness were searched in Medline via PubMed and the Cochrane Library, and a subsequent review of the references of the identified articles, yielded 15 articles total. Inclusion criteria encompassed prospective controlled trials, published in English, with ACL injuries as the primary outcome. Studies were independently appraised by 2 reviewers for methodological quality using the PEDro scale. Barriers to implementation were identified when reported in at least 2 separate studies. A SEM was used to suggest ways to reduce the identified barriers.Results: Five barriers were identified: motivation, time requirements, skill requirements for program facilitators, compliance, and cost. The SEM suggested ways to minimize the barriers at all levels of the model from the individual through policy levels.Conclusion: Identification of barriers to program implementation and suggesting how to reduce them through the SEM is a critical first step toward enabling ACL prevention programs to be more effective and ultimately reducing the incidence of these injuries.展开更多
There is a lack of information about the factors responsible for the effectiveness of environmental policies in Brazilian agriculture.This study aimed at identifying the perception and practices of agrarian profession...There is a lack of information about the factors responsible for the effectiveness of environmental policies in Brazilian agriculture.This study aimed at identifying the perception and practices of agrarian professionals.The data analysis was carried out using a survey and methodological approaches focusing on environmental complexity and categorization of environmental actions.Quantitative analysis was based on descriptive statistics.Atmospheric problems were perceived as the main problems for the current and next two generations,while hydrological problems were indicated as those deserving most urgent solutions.On the other hand,the main developed actions and those planned to be carried out were classified within the responsibility category.Because of the reductionist perceptions,introduction of the concept of a socio-ecological system is indicated by means of methodological interventions during the development of agrarian professionals;also,in order to stimulate actions related to the competence and citizenship category,a methodological intervention focusing on resilience thinking is proposed.Typical actions of individuals with either reductionist or complex conceptions of the environment can be captured and,therefore,educational strategies can be traced based on the profiles obtained.展开更多
Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder that appears first in childhood at preschool age (4 - 5) years, and is manifested by a symptomatic pattern of difficulties with attenti...Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder that appears first in childhood at preschool age (4 - 5) years, and is manifested by a symptomatic pattern of difficulties with attention, motor activity and impulsivity. Maternal factors like stress, socio-demographic and maternal life style factors are potential risk factors for ADHD. Methodology: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in Baghdad-Iraq. Cases have been taken from 5 private paediatric clinics. Controls were chosen from kindergartens within the same residential area of the paediatric private clinics. Mothers of cases and controls were investigated for the risk factors of ADHD using a self-administered questionnaire. The total sample size was 260. Number of cases was 130 and number of controls was 130. Results: Five variables were significantly associated with development of ADHD after using a multivariate logistic regression model, maternal war stress (Adjusted OR 9.08, 95% CI 4.70 - 17.52 and P value < 0.001), maternal smoking (Adjusted OR 3.27 95% CI 1.40 - 7.63, P < 0.001), father lost job (Adjusted OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.51 - 5.24, P value < 0.001), and house damaged (Adjusted OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.04 - 6.24, P < 0.05). Family income was also associated with risk of ADHD (OR 1.02 95% CI 1.00 - 3.12, P value < 0.05). Conclusion and suggestion: Maternal exposure to war stress has 9 times higher risk of developing ADHD among offspring. This study aimed to offer to the policy makers a good benchmark to plan more programmes related to women and child health with respect to the fourth and fifth Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in reduction of child mortality and morbidity and improvement of maternal health. There is a real necessity to address the need of vulnerable pregnant mothers at war and disaster’s time for programmes which will be able to control the stress that those pregnant mothers would encounter during those hard times.展开更多
文摘Rapid technological advancements are driving embodied intelligent robots from laboratories to real-life applications to serve as a key force reshaping the future way of life.Like many other revolutionary technologies,while sparking utopian visions of the future,the development of embodied intelligence has aroused concerns about safety risks, emotional ethics, and socio-cultural implications.
文摘This study examines the socio-economic profile of livestock farmers in coastal Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 43 people were interviewed using well-structured questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive methods. The results showed that local Lagoon breeders are divided into two zones: southwest and southeast. Breeders in the south-western region are generally located in two sub-prefectures of the Tabou Department (Grabo and Oulodio). Tabou’s department alone accounts for 42% of the Lagoon breed in Côte d’Ivoire. Agriculture in this area is traditionally sedentary, practiced for social reasons. On the other hand, the south-eastern zone, located in the departments of Aboisso, Adzopé, Agboville, Grand-Lahou, Jacqueville, Abidjan, Dabou and Sikensi, represents 58% of the Lagoon breeding area in Côte d’Ivoire. This second group is characterised by improved breeding. Most of the farmers interviewed in this zone breed for economic reasons. However, the risk of cross-breeding, which already affects the local Lagoon breed, could be increased by the presence of other species such as the Zebu and Ndamas, or even the Baoulé, in this south-eastern herd.
文摘There is currently a dearth of information pertaining to socio-demographic factors and eating practices in a multicultural country like Mauritius. This study was therefore undertaken to probe the different eating practices among an adult sample population in Mauritius in an endeavor to establish significant relationships, if any, with common socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. A self-designed questionnaire, (randomly distributed to n = 387 adults), pertaining to socio-demographic variables, vegetarianism, breakfast patterns, eating out of home meals (OHMs), food frequency questions and dieting practices were asked. Males (21 - 40 yrs) had a significantly (p 0.05) to adherence to the recommendations for the consumption of fish. The socio-demographic factors most influential towards eating practices were gender, age and socio-economic status represented by education and occupation. In conclusion, relationships recorded in the present study were comparable to Western eating practices and the availability of certain foods has compelled Mauritians to develop its own and unique eating patterns which can be of relevance in providing accurate health targets for future nutrition interventions in Mauritius.
文摘American intellectuals of different generations and in various eras,with a strong sense of social responsibility and a critical mind,have dedicated themselves in revealing some major problems existing in American education,namely educational inequality,declining academic performance,inadequate funding,and school violence.By describing and probing into these problems from a socio-cultural perspective,they offer a solution of eliminating the socio-economic inequality in America,which is fundamental and essential.
文摘The main purpose of this study was to examine the association between sociodemographic factors (gender, place of residence, level of education, geopolitical zone, and socioeconomic status) and HCT uptake among young people in Nigeria. The study is a quantitative research guided by one research question and one hypothesis. The target population comprised young people in Nigeria ages 15 to 24 years because the focus of this study was to identify the factors affecting HCT uptake among young people in this age cohort. The representative sample was obtained from the updated master sample frame of rural and urban zones developed by the National Population Commission in Nigeria. This master sample frame was a national survey that comprises all 36 states in Nigeria. Probability sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 10,091 respondents (ages 15 to 24 years) for the study. The multistage cluster sampling was used to select suitable young people with known probability. Data were collected throughout Nigeria between September and December 2012 from 32,543 households (rural = 22,192;urban = 10,351) using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The individual questionnaires asked about household characteristics, background characteristics of the respondents. Data were analyzed by inputting them into SPSS v21.0 for analysis and then coded them for each participant. The data were summed using descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages;measures of central tendencies were used to answer the research question while nonparametric test such as chi-square was used to analyze non-normally distributed data at 0.5 level of significance. Results of data analysis indicated that the sociodemographic variables of gender, place of residence, level of education, geopolitical zone, and SES were significantly associated with HCT uptake. Among others, it was recommended that examining the efficacy of HCT treatments in Nigeria, along with conducting a demographic analysis of the at-risk population, could be beneficial in informing the authorities who are responsible for allocating finite medical resources.
文摘In the contemporary world, there are three interconnected global environmental crises (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution). The common thread is the unsustainable pattern of production and consumption, which leads to international and local socio-environmental injustices. Seeking environmental justice in Brazil, the success of the rubber tapper social movement stands out, culminating in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve (RESEX) implementation in the Brazilian Amazon. However, the residents have struggled to generate income to help their families’ social reproduction. Conventional payment instruments for environmental services have failed to remunerate the socio-environmental attributes of sustainable products adequately. This paper aims to carry out a socio-environmental economic-ecological valuation of the main extractive products of the RESEX in 2021/2022. To this end, a methodology calculates the cost of social reproduction of rural family production, being a non-market price index reference for monetary valuation. The results indicate the acceptability of the socio-environmental valuation of native rubber and Brazil nuts, as they can guarantee environmental conservation, improve the families’ well-being with adequate income for their social reproduction, as well as value attributes outside the market, which helps in the fight against further expropriation or enclosure of rural families in the Amazon.
文摘To identify the determinant of the occurrence of IUD expulsion Materials & Methods Based on 25 733 IUD uses from the Chinese Two per Thousand Fertility Survey data, this study examines the patterns and differentials of IUD expulsion rate by characteristics of women, and identifies the socio demographic determinants of IUD expulsion. A Life Table method was used to calculate the cumulative expulsion rate and a random effects discrete time survival model was employed to assess the impact of potential determinants simultaneously on the risk of expelling an IUD. Results Three major findings are observed in this study. First, IUD expulsion was the second main reason, after pregnancy during IUD use, for IUD discontinuation during the first four years of IUD insertion; the expulsion rates were 6.4%, 9.1%, 10.8 %, and 12.0% at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Second, there was a clustering of IUD expulsion: some women experienced repeated IUD expulsions. Third, some socio demographic characteristics and fertility history were associated with the occurrence of IUD expulsion. In particular, the expulsion rate was high among young women, among those with two or more children and among those living in rural areas. Conclusion The above mentioned factors shoald be addressed in order to decrease the IUD expulsion rate and enhance the reprocluctive he alth of women.
文摘The Karst of Southwest China is a typical representative of poverty stricken region with impoverishment-degradation spiral. To essentially break away from this vicious circle, the local ecology, economy and society should be rehabilitated, and hence to strengthen the self-development capacity building of the localities. Two considerations are stressed in this article: (1) Poverty alleviation is a system project with great complexities. Any single approach is difficult to success and integrated measures should be taken. (2) Some typical and feasible areas should be selected to demonstrate the project of poverty alleviation and ecological, socio-economic reconstruction. Then, they can be used as a model to promote the sustainable development of the whole region. Based upon these ideals, a project entitled “Reversal of Impoverishment-Degradation Spiral in the Karst of Southwest China' was proposed and has been listed in 《Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21》.
基金Chinese Academy of Sciences,KZCX1-10-03, KZCX2-317, No.IV-9903Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CASCXIOG-B00-04 National Basic Research Development Programme,No.1999043602.
文摘China has made great progress in the study of socio-economic water cycle. She has completed national water resources appraisement and medium to long-term water supply planning. She has been engaging in study on water-deficient regions in North China and Northwest China for about half a century. For solving water shortage problem in northern China, she has put forward the famous South-to-North Water Transferring Projects, which has been set as one of the four biggest national projects in the Tenth Five-Year-Plan period although there are still debates. For promoting water use efficiency, China has been reforming her water management system, including water right system and water price system. There has already been a case of water right purchase. China has also done a lot of research on the interaction between human activity, water and ecosystem. For meeting the need of sustainability and coordinating water resources development and environmental protection, the study of ecological water requirement became very hot in recent years. There are three focuses of socio-economic water cycle study now in China: water transfer projects from the south to the north, water resources management and ecological water requirement.
基金financed by the National Basic Research Program of China(2010CB951502)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41101537,40930101,41201184 and 71203157)
文摘For the scientific management of farmland, it is significant to understand the spatio-temporal variability of soil organic matter and to study the influences of related factors. Using geostatistical theory, GIS spatial analysis, trend analysis and a Geographically Weighted Regression （GWR） model, this study analyzed the response of soil organic matter to climate and socio-economic factors in central Heilongjiang Province during the past 25 years. Second soil survey data of China for 1979-1985, 2005 field sampling data, climate observations and socio-economic data for 1980-2005 were analyzed. First, soil organic matter in 2005 was spatially interpolated using the Co-Kriging method along with auxiliary data sets of soil type and pH. The spatio-temporal variability was then studied by comparison with the 1980s second soil census data. Next, the temporal trends in climate and socio-economic factors over the past 25 years were investigated. Finally, we examined the variation of the response of soil organic matter to climate and socio-economic factors using the GWR model spatially and temporally. The model showed that 53.82% area of the organic matter content remained constant and 29.39% has decreased during the past 25 years. The impact of precipitation on organic matter content is mainly negative, with increasing absolute values of the regression coefficient. The absolute value of regression coefficient of annual average temperature has decreased, and more areas are now under its negative effects. In addition, the areas of positive regression coefficient of annual sunshine hours have northward shifted, with the increasing absolute value of positive coefficient and decreasing absolute value of negative coefficient. The areas of positive regression coefficient of mechanized farming as a socio-economic factor have westward shifted, with the increasing absolute value of negative coefficient and decreasing absolute value of positive coefficient. The area of regions with the positive regression coefficient of irrigation has expanded. The regions with positive regression coefficient of fertilizer use have shrinked. The positive regression coefficient of mulch film consumption has significantly increased. The regression coefficient of pesticide consumption was mainly positive in the west of the study area, while it was negative to the east. Generally, GWR model is capable to investigate the influence of both climatic and socio-economic factors, avoided the insufficiency of other research based on the single perspective of climatic or socio-economic factors. Therefore, we can conclude that GWR model could provide methodological support for global change research and serve as basic reference for cultivated land quality improvement and agricultural decision making.
基金Commonweal Special Project of the Minislry of Water Resources of China, No.2007SHZ0901034 National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40971012 Acknowledgements We are grateful to Data Center for Resources and Environmental Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences for providing the data of soil and to China Meteorological Administration for providing the data of precipitation.
文摘In recent years, the role of human activities in changing sediment yield has become more apparent for the construction of hydraulic engineering and water conservation projections in the Upper Yangtze River, but it has not been evaluated at the macro scale. Taking Sichuan Province and Chongqing City as an example, this paper studies the relationship between socio-economic factors and sediment yield in the Upper Yangtze River based on section data in 1989 and 2007. The results show that sediment yield is significantly correlated with population density and cultivated area, in which the former appears to be more closely related to sediment yield. Moreover, in the relation of sediment yield vs. population density, a critical value of population density exists, below which the sediment yield increases with the increase of population density and over which the sediment yield increases with the decrease of population density. The phenomenon essentially reflects the influence of natural factors, such as topography, precipitation and soil property, and some human activities on sediment yield. The region with a higher population density than critical value is located in the east of the study area and is characterized by plains, hills and low mountains, whereas the opposite is located in the west and characterized by middle and high mountains. In the eastern region, more people live on the lands with a low slope where regional soil erosion is slight; therefore, sediment yield is negatively related with population density. In contrast, in the western region, the population tends to aggregate in the areas with abundant soil and water resources which usually lead to a higher intensity of natural erosion, and in turn, high-intensity agricultural practices in these areas may further strengthen local soil erosion. It is also found that population tends to move from the areas with bad environment and high sediment yield to the areas with more comfortable environment and less sediment yield. The natural factors have greater influence on sediment yield of western region than that of eastern region. Generally, the natural factors play a dominant role on sediment yield in the Upper Yangtze River.
基金supported by the Research Grants from the BUPA Foundation (45NOV06)Alzheimer’s Research Trust (ART/PPG2007B/2) in the UK.+1 种基金Anhui provincial natural science foundation for institutions of higher education (KJ2013A164)supported by the Strategic Research Development Fund,University of Wolverhampton in Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement, School of Health and Wellbeing,UK.
文摘Objective To determine the associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with active and passive smoking in older adults. Methods Using a standard interview method, we examined random samples of 6071 people aged 〉 60 years in 5 provinces of China during 2007-2009. Results World age-standardised prevalence for current and former smoking in men was 45.6% and 20.5%, and in women 11.1% and 4.5%. Current smoking reduced with older age but increased with men, low socioeconomic status （SES）, alcohol drinking, being never-married, pessimistic and depressive syndromes. Former smoking was associated with men, secondary school education, a middle-high income, being a businessman, being widowed, less frequencies of visiting children/relatives and friends, and worrying about children. Among 3774 never-smokers, the prevalence of passive smoking was 31.5%, and the risk increased with women, low SES, alcohol drinking, being married, having a religious believe, and daily visiting children/relatives. There were sex differences in the associations, and an interaction effect of education and income on smoking and passive smoking. Conclusion Older Chinese had a higher level of smoking and passive smoking than those in high income countries, reflecting China＇s failures in controlling smoking. The associations with low SES and different psychosocial aspects and sex differences suggest preventative strategies for active and passive smoking.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41529101,No.41571144China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2015M580305
文摘The interaction between urban space and individual behavior has led to essential social, economic and environmental consequences. Behavioral geography provides a new effective theoretical and methodological framework to investigate behavior patterns in cities. In recent years, behavior approach has become an influential analytical paradigm in Chinese urban geography. This paper provides an overview of behavioral geography research in China, by introducing the theoretical and empirical progress in behavior analysis. It is argued that behavioral approach offers a new perspective to understanding China＇s urban sociospatial reconstruction and addressing social and environmental issues at micro scale. Although theoretical development still lags behind developed countries, Chinese scholars have made much progress in empirical investigations of classical socio-spatial behavior theories. This paper also provides an overview of new trends in Chinese behavioral geography that has started to apply the behavioral approach to urban social, economic and environmental issues. This paper suggests that social dimensions of behavior should be addressed more comprehensively and rigorously by using interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological frameworks, to better understand the complexity of Chinese cities and research the critical social and environmental issues in cities.
文摘Floods are the most devastating hazards that have significant adverse impacts on people and their livelihoods. Their impacts can be reduced by investing on: 1) improving the forecasting skills of extreme and heavy rainfall events, 2) development of Impacts Based Flood Early Warning System (IBFEWS) and 3) effective communication of impacts from anticipated extreme or heavy rainfall event. The development of IBFEWS however, requires a complete understanding of factors that relates to the formation of extreme or heavy rainfall events and their associated socio-economic impacts. This information is crucial in the development of Impacts Based Flood Forecasting Models (IBFFMs). In this study, we assess the socio-economic impacts of the December 2011 flood event in Dar es Salaam as the preliminary stage in the development of IBFFMs for the City of Dar es Salaam. Data from household survey collected using systematic random sampling techniques and structured questionnaires are used. The survey was conducted to acquire respondent’s views on the causes of floods impacts, adaptive capacity to extreme or heavy rainfall events and adaptation options to minimize flood impact. It is found that the main causes of floods were river overflow due to heavy rainfall and blocked drainage system. Poor infrastructure such as drainage and sewage systems, and ocean surge were identified to be the causes of observed impacts of the December 2011 flood event in Dar es Salaam. Death cases analysis showed that 43 people were reported dead. The flood event damaged properties worth of 7.5 million Tanzania shillings. Furthermore, the Tanzania Government spent a total amount of 1.83 billion Tanzanian shillings to rescue and relocate vulnerable communities that lived-in low-lying areas of Jagwani to high ground areas of Mabwepande in Kinondoni district.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the association between various lifestyle factors and achalasia risk.METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Northern Ireland, including n = 151 achalasia cases and n = 117 age- and sexmatched controls. Lifestyle factors were assessed via a face-to-face structured interview. The association between achalasia and lifestyle factors was assessed by unconditional logistic regression, to produce odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence interval(CI).RESULTS: Individuals who had low-class occupations were at the highest risk of achalasia(OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.02-3.45), inferring that high-class occupation holders have a reduced risk of achalasia. A history of foreign travel, a lifestyle factor linked to upper socioeconomic class, was also associated with a reduced risk of achalasia(OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.35-0.99). Smoking and alcohol consumption carried significantly reduced risks of achalasia, even after adjustment for socio-economic status. The presence of pets in the house was associated with a two-fold increased risk of achalasia(OR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.17-3.42). Nochildhood household factors were associated with achalasia risk.CONCLUSION: Achalasia is a disease of inequality, and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds are at highest risk. This does not appear to be due to corresponding alcohol and smoking behaviours. An observed positive association between pet ownership and achalasia risk suggests an interaction between endotoxin and viral infection exposure in achalasia aetiology.
基金supported by German-Sino bilateral collaboration research project SuMaRiO funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Researchthe support of NSFC-UNEP Project (41361140361): Ecological Responses to Climatic Change and Land-cover Change in Arid and Semiarid Central Asia during the Past 500 Years
文摘Hydrological models are often linked with other models in cognate sciences to understand the interactions among climate, earth, water, ecosystem, and human society. This paper presents the development and implementation of a decision support system（DSS） that links the outputs of hydrological models with real-time decision making on social-economic assessments and land use management. Discharge and glacier geometry changes were simulated with hydrological model, water availability in semiarid environments. Irrigation and ecological water were simulated by a new commercial software MIKE HYDRO. Groundwater was simulated by MODFLOW. All the outputs of theses hydrological models were taken as inputs into the DSS in three types of links： regression equations, stationary data inputs, or dynamic data inputs as the models running parallel in the simulation periods. The DSS integrates the hydrological data, geographic data, social and economic statistical data, and establishes the relationships with equations, conditional statements and fuzzy logics. The programming is realized in C＋＋. The DSS has four remarkable features：（1） editable land use maps to assist decision-making;（2） conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources;（3） interactions among water, earth, ecosystem, and humans; and（4） links with hydrological models. The overall goal of the DSS is to combine the outputs of scientific models, knowledge of experts, and perspectives of stakeholders, into a computer-based system, which allows sustainability impact assessment within regional planning; and to understand ecosystem services and integrate them into land and water management.
基金Supported by Commissioned Project of Dalian Chengshantou Coastal Landform National Nature Reserve Administration
文摘For the purpose of accommodating the relationship between the protection of nature reserve and the development of local society and economy,this paper,taking Dalian Chengshantou Nature Reserve as a study area and PRA as a main research method,investigated and analyzed the status of social and economical development and the existing problems in the study area. The result shows that: the contradictory between the protection of nature reserve and the local development of social and economical activities are still prominent,and the principle of " integration of protection and reasonable development" proposed by the general plan of nature reserve has not reached the expected result.Therefore,further efforts should be made firstly to accommodating relationship between the protection of nature reserve and the local development activities,secondly to accelerating the development of eco-tourism and the relevant service industries in accordance with the local practical situations,and finally to promoting the sustainable development of both the protection of nature reserve and the local society and economy.
文摘Background: Preventing anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injuries is important to avoid long-term adverse health consequences. Identifying barriers to implementation of these prevention programs is crucial to reducing the incidence of these injuries. Our purpose was to identify barriers of implementation for ACL injury prevention programs and suggest mechanisms for reducing the barriers through application of a SocioEcological Model(SEM).Methods: Studies investigating ACL prevention program effectiveness were searched in Medline via PubMed and the Cochrane Library, and a subsequent review of the references of the identified articles, yielded 15 articles total. Inclusion criteria encompassed prospective controlled trials, published in English, with ACL injuries as the primary outcome. Studies were independently appraised by 2 reviewers for methodological quality using the PEDro scale. Barriers to implementation were identified when reported in at least 2 separate studies. A SEM was used to suggest ways to reduce the identified barriers.Results: Five barriers were identified: motivation, time requirements, skill requirements for program facilitators, compliance, and cost. The SEM suggested ways to minimize the barriers at all levels of the model from the individual through policy levels.Conclusion: Identification of barriers to program implementation and suggesting how to reduce them through the SEM is a critical first step toward enabling ACL prevention programs to be more effective and ultimately reducing the incidence of these injuries.
基金FAPEMIG and CNPq for financial support,studentships(to M.R.F.and S.V.B.G.M.),and fellowships(to R.L.G.M.and N.V.)
文摘There is a lack of information about the factors responsible for the effectiveness of environmental policies in Brazilian agriculture.This study aimed at identifying the perception and practices of agrarian professionals.The data analysis was carried out using a survey and methodological approaches focusing on environmental complexity and categorization of environmental actions.Quantitative analysis was based on descriptive statistics.Atmospheric problems were perceived as the main problems for the current and next two generations,while hydrological problems were indicated as those deserving most urgent solutions.On the other hand,the main developed actions and those planned to be carried out were classified within the responsibility category.Because of the reductionist perceptions,introduction of the concept of a socio-ecological system is indicated by means of methodological interventions during the development of agrarian professionals;also,in order to stimulate actions related to the competence and citizenship category,a methodological intervention focusing on resilience thinking is proposed.Typical actions of individuals with either reductionist or complex conceptions of the environment can be captured and,therefore,educational strategies can be traced based on the profiles obtained.
文摘Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder that appears first in childhood at preschool age (4 - 5) years, and is manifested by a symptomatic pattern of difficulties with attention, motor activity and impulsivity. Maternal factors like stress, socio-demographic and maternal life style factors are potential risk factors for ADHD. Methodology: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in Baghdad-Iraq. Cases have been taken from 5 private paediatric clinics. Controls were chosen from kindergartens within the same residential area of the paediatric private clinics. Mothers of cases and controls were investigated for the risk factors of ADHD using a self-administered questionnaire. The total sample size was 260. Number of cases was 130 and number of controls was 130. Results: Five variables were significantly associated with development of ADHD after using a multivariate logistic regression model, maternal war stress (Adjusted OR 9.08, 95% CI 4.70 - 17.52 and P value < 0.001), maternal smoking (Adjusted OR 3.27 95% CI 1.40 - 7.63, P < 0.001), father lost job (Adjusted OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.51 - 5.24, P value < 0.001), and house damaged (Adjusted OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.04 - 6.24, P < 0.05). Family income was also associated with risk of ADHD (OR 1.02 95% CI 1.00 - 3.12, P value < 0.05). Conclusion and suggestion: Maternal exposure to war stress has 9 times higher risk of developing ADHD among offspring. This study aimed to offer to the policy makers a good benchmark to plan more programmes related to women and child health with respect to the fourth and fifth Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in reduction of child mortality and morbidity and improvement of maternal health. There is a real necessity to address the need of vulnerable pregnant mothers at war and disaster’s time for programmes which will be able to control the stress that those pregnant mothers would encounter during those hard times.
