Extracted natural gas hydrate is a multi-phase and multi-component mixture,and its complex composition poses significant challenges for transmission and transportation,including phase changes following extraction and ...Extracted natural gas hydrate is a multi-phase and multi-component mixture,and its complex composition poses significant challenges for transmission and transportation,including phase changes following extraction and sediment deposition within the pipeline.This study examines the flow and heat transfer characteristics of hydrates in a riser,focusing on the multi-phase flow behavior of natural gas hydrate in the development riser.Additionally,the effects of hydrate flow and seawater temperature on heat exchange are analyzed by simulating the ambient temperature conditions of the South China Sea.The findings reveal that the increase in unit pressure drop is primarily attributed to higher flowvelocities,which result in increased friction of the hydrate flowwithin the development riser.For example,at a hydrate volume fraction of 10%,the unit pressure drop rises by 166.65%and 270.81% when the average inlet velocity is increased from1.0 to 3.0m/s(a two-fold increase)and 5.0 m/s(a four-fold increase),respectively.Furthermore,the riser outlet temperature rises with increasing hydrate flowrates.Under specific heat loss conditions,the flowratemust exceed a minimum threshold to ensure safe transportation.The study also indicates that the riser outlet temperature increases with higher seawater temperatures.Within the seawater temperature range of 5℃ to 15℃,the heat transfer efficiency is reduced compared to the range of 15℃ to 20℃.This discrepancy is due to the fact that as the seawater temperature rises,the convective heat transfer coefficient between the hydrate and the inner wall of the riser also increases,leading to improved overall heat transfer between the hydrate and the pipeline.展开更多
This study aims to develop a scale to evaluate depressive states among elderly patients in general wards, and verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Based on the results of interviews with nurses, we develo...This study aims to develop a scale to evaluate depressive states among elderly patients in general wards, and verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Based on the results of interviews with nurses, we developed a draft of a scale comprised of 48 questions (NDE48). The Geriatric Depression Scale short version (GDS15), and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were administered to 54 elderly patients. Two groups of nurses completed the NDE48 on different days. After performing an explanatory factor analysis, the NDE48 was simplified to a 16 question item scale (NDE16), comprising three factors. The correlation coefficient between GDS15 and NDE16 was 0.41 (p = 0.00191), and between SDS and NDE16 was 0.30 (p = 0.02633). Alpha coefficient of the total score of NDE16 was 0.88. For inter-rater reliability, the correlation coefficient was 0.57 (p = 0.00005). The findings suggest that the NDE16 will be highly useful when nurses evaluate depressive states among elderly inpatients.展开更多
Coastal land transformation has been identified as a topic of research in many countries around the world.Several studies have been conducted to determine the causes and impacts of land transformation.However,much les...Coastal land transformation has been identified as a topic of research in many countries around the world.Several studies have been conducted to determine the causes and impacts of land transformation.However,much less is understood about coupling change detection,factors,impacts,and adaptation strategies for coastal land transformation at a global scale.This review aims to present a systematic review of global coastal land transformation and its leading research areas.From 1,741 documents of Scopus and Web of Science,60 studies have been selected using the PRISMA-2020 guideline.Results revealed that existing literature included four leading focus areas regarding coastal land transformation:change detection,driving factors,impacts,and adaptation measures.These focus areas were further analyzed,and it was found that more than 80%of studies used Landsat imagery to detect land transformation.Population growth and urbanization were among the major driving factors identified.This review further identified that about 37%of studies included impact analysis.These studies identified impacts on ecosystems,land surface temperature,migration,water quality,and occupational effects as significant impacts.However,only four studies included adaptation strategies.This review explored the scope of comprehensive research in coastal land transformation,addressing change detection,factor and impact analysis,and mitigation-adaptation strategies.The research also proposes a conceptual framework for comprehensive coastal land transformation analysis.The framework can provide potential decision-making guidance for future studies in coastal land transformation.展开更多
Water-related hazards, such as river floods, flash floods and droughts, are becoming more frequent in the Upper Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand, due to climate change and urbanization, causing significant societal, ...Water-related hazards, such as river floods, flash floods and droughts, are becoming more frequent in the Upper Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand, due to climate change and urbanization, causing significant societal, economic, and environmental damage. This study supports decision-making for nature-based solutions (NBS) to address mitigate these hazards. Using multi-criteria decision analysis, simulation modeling, and spatial analysis, the study identified precipitation and river discharges as key hazard drivers. Mapping hazard severity at various scales, the findings suggest that expanding green areas and water storage can enhance water management and reduce hazard impacts. This research offers critical insights for NBS adoption in water-related risk reduction.展开更多
Road transport plays a crucial role in facilitating mobility and the movement of goods,particularly in the Extended Bangkok Metropolitan Region(EBMR),Thailand.This area is undergoing rapid industrialization and urbani...Road transport plays a crucial role in facilitating mobility and the movement of goods,particularly in the Extended Bangkok Metropolitan Region(EBMR),Thailand.This area is undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization,resulting in significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions.This study examined the relationships among individual socioeconomic factors,travel characteristics,and energy consumption characteristics and their impacts on GHG emissions from road transport.The path analysis technique was applied to identify the key driving factors and their causal relationships.The data were collected through 1600 questionnaire surveys with road drivers in representative areas of the EBMR from December 2022 to May 2023.The results revealed that individual socioeconomic factors significantly influenced GHG emissions from road transport.Among the drivers,factors such as income,age,education,and driving experience indirectly influenced travel characteristics and energy consumption characteristics,impacting GHG emissions.Similarly,individual socioeconomic factors affected the travel characteristics of tourists and personal travelers.Driving experience was a crucial factor for public road transport and freight vehicle drivers,influencing travel characteristics and contributing to GHG emissions.These findings highlight the importance of key policy recommendations,such as promoting the adoption of electric vehicles,optimizing public transport,incentivizing low-emission tourism,and modernizing freight transport with clean technologies,to enhance efficiency,reduce emissions,and support regional sustainability.This study provides policy-makers with insights into the key factors influencing GHG emissions across different driving factors,revealing how individual socioeconomic factors impact travel characteristics and energy consumption characteristics.The findings will inform the development of targeted emission reduction strategies and sustainable transport policies.展开更多
Clinical translation of tissue-engineered advanced therapeutic medicinal products is hindered by a lack of patient-dependent and independent in-process biological quality controls that are reflective of in vivo outcom...Clinical translation of tissue-engineered advanced therapeutic medicinal products is hindered by a lack of patient-dependent and independent in-process biological quality controls that are reflective of in vivo outcomes.Recent insights into the mechanism of native bone repair highlight a robust path dependence.Organoid-based bottom-up developmental engineering mimics this pathdependence to design personalized living implants scaffold-free,with in-build outcome predictability.Yet,adequate(noninvasive)quality metrics of engineered tissues are lacking.Moreover,insufficient insight into the role of donor variability and biological sex as influencing factors for the mechanism toward bone repair hinders the implementation of such protocols for personalized bone implants.Here,male and female bone-forming organoids were compared to non-bone-forming organoids regarding their extracellular matrix composition,transcriptome,and secreted proteome signatures to directly link in vivo outcomes to quality metrics.As a result,donor variability in bone-forming callus organoids pointed towards two distinct pathways to bone,through either a hypertrophic cartilage or a fibrocartilaginous template.The followed pathway was determined early,as a biological sexdependent activation of distinct progenitor populations.Independent of donor or biological sex,a cartilage-to-bone transition was driven by a common panel of secreted factors that played a role in extracellular matrix remodeling,mineralization,and attraction of vasculature.Hence,the secreted proteome is a source of noninvasive biomarkers that report on biological potency and could be the missing link toward data-driven decision-making in organoid-based bone tissue engineering.展开更多
Coastal areas in the eastern sub-region of Thailand,a popular destination in Southeast Asia,are facing rapid tourism-related urbanization and associated consequences of environment and climate change(CC).Thus,this stu...Coastal areas in the eastern sub-region of Thailand,a popular destination in Southeast Asia,are facing rapid tourism-related urbanization and associated consequences of environment and climate change(CC).Thus,this study aims to analyze the relationships between tourism,coastal areas,the environment,and CC in the context of tourism urbanization;and recommend strategies for enhancing the governance of coastal areas.Three popular destinations were selected as study areas,Koh Chang,Koh Mak,and Pattaya.Group discussions,questionnaire surveys,in-terviews,and observation were used for primary data collection together with secondary data.The results show that the development of these destinations has been incompatible with the coastal environment and CC patterns.Rapid urbanization from tourism development is the main driver of environmental changes and makes the areas vulnerable to CC-related risks.While water scarcity and pollution are found the most critical environmental issues of the destinations,coastal areas are negatively affected in terms of increased air and water pollution and resource degradation.They have also been exposed to different CC-related problems while the risks of accumulative impacts of both environment and CC have not been adequately recognized or addressed.Although some measures have provided synergies of improved environment and increased climate resilience,possible conflicts and gaps were also found.Public infrastructure integration and optimization to enhance coastal areas'environment and climate resilience are suggested.展开更多
Establishment of Protected Areas （PAs）, in the face of rapid deforestation, forest degradation and climate change has been one of the key efforts in conservation of biodiversity worldwide in recent times. While Bang...Establishment of Protected Areas （PAs）, in the face of rapid deforestation, forest degradation and climate change has been one of the key efforts in conservation of biodiversity worldwide in recent times. While Bangladesh has gained a degree of prominence in the world for its successful social forestry programs, the concept of collaborative pro- tected area management is rather new in the country, initiated in 2004 by the Bangladesh Forest Department in five PAs with financial assistance from USAID. Based on empirical evidence from three of the pilot PAs, we examined the achievements and associated challenges and prospects for co-management. Our fieldwork revealed a number of challenges faced by co-management institutions： （1） institutions were dominated by the elite group, overshadowing the voice of the community people; （2） mutual trust and collective performance are key to good governance but had not taken root in the PAs; （3） encroachment onto forest land and subsequent conversion to agriculture remained a serious problem that discouraged forest-dependent people from participating actively in co-management initiatives; （4） legal provisions （including acts, rules and policies） were not clearly and adequately disseminated and understood at the community level; （5） there remained a degree of ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of forest department （FD） and co-management committees （CMC） in field operations, and this was not enhancing transparency and accountability of the overall initiative; （6） the long-term sustainability of co-management institutions was another major concern, as the local intuitional structure was still in a nascent stage, and provisioning of resources （either internally or externally） remained somewhat uncertain. We offer recommendations for improve- ment.展开更多
This study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of village doctors to essential medicines list (EML) and accessibility of essential medicines (EMs) distribution to improve the implementation of EML in village clinics.A ...This study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of village doctors to essential medicines list (EML) and accessibility of essential medicines (EMs) distribution to improve the implementation of EML in village clinics.A total of 422 village doctors from five counties in three provinces of China were surveyed by questionnaires.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the main factors associated with village doctors' evaluation of EML.The results showed that village doctors had a negative evaluation in satisfaction level of EML to village-based care and accessibility of EM distribution.The government should adjust EML regularly based on the actual health status of local villagers in China and focus on adding appropriate drugs that meet the needs of villagers with chronic disease.The local government should also attach importance to the distribution of EMs and maintain their supply in village clinics.展开更多
Inflammation plays an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis. The initiation and growth of atherosclerotic plaques is accompanied by recruitment of inflammatory and precursor cells from the bloodstream a...Inflammation plays an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis. The initiation and growth of atherosclerotic plaques is accompanied by recruitment of inflammatory and precursor cells from the bloodstream and their differentiation towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes. This process is orchestrated by the production of a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Human arterial intima consists of structurally distinct leaflets, with a proteoglycan-rich layer lying immediately below the endothelial lining. Recent studies reveal the important role of stellate pericyte-like cells(intimal pericytes) populating the proteoglycan-rich layer in the development of atherosclerosis. During the pathologic process, intimal pericytes may participate in the recruitment of inflammatory cells by producing signalling molecules and play a role in the antigen presentation. Intimal pericytes are also involved in lipid accumulation and the formation of foam cells. This review focuses on the role of pericytelike cells in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.展开更多
Well-managed forests are major sources of livelihoods for the fringed communities. However, the remoteness, inaccessibility of most forested areas coupled with conflicts from adjacent forest communities, who often dep...Well-managed forests are major sources of livelihoods for the fringed communities. However, the remoteness, inaccessibility of most forested areas coupled with conflicts from adjacent forest communities, who often depend on it for livelihood is a daunting task in implementing conservation, viz-a-viz the Sustainable Development Goals. The Mt Oku forest is a unique, remote but represents novelty in forest management in remote areas in Cameroon, with devolution of management rights. The forest is well noted for its high level of endemism. This study is focused on the legal, institutional, socio-economic and regulatory framework put in place, for appropriate conservation and livelihood sustenance as forest management rights were devolved to the local community. A multidimensional framework guiding the development of testable hypothesis that assesses the relationship between the forest users’ activities and forest degradation, which have a multiplier effect on the SDGs, was used. The alternate livelihood options/strategies and benefits after the institution of the Forest Management Project (FMP) was examined in randomly selected frontline and secondary villages. Selected Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and registers from FMIs aided relevant data collection. The results indicated a significant relationship (χ2 = 0.65.4, p = 0.00) between the activities of forest users and forest degradation. Adopted alternate livelihood strategies/options include, direct employment, tourist guides, bee farming, agricultural intensification, agroforestry, capacity building for skill acquisition, selective exploitation and sales of Prunus spp. Forest regeneration strategies ranged from, forest guards, removal of exotic species, forest enrichment, raising nurseries, fire tracing, etc. It is concluded that giving greater access and ownership of forest to the local community in the Mount Oku Region, led to transparency, accountability and social stability, which contributed tremendously both to the recovery and conservation of forest for improved livelihoods. However there is a dire need for the reinforcement of mechanisms for capacity building to improved livelihoods and conservation and the implementation of a system where stakeholders enjoy favorable conditions for information exchange and learning.展开更多
Hazardous chemicals used in electronic and electrical consumer products can re-enter commerce when these products are recycled. The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the possible sources of unexpected chemi...Hazardous chemicals used in electronic and electrical consumer products can re-enter commerce when these products are recycled. The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the possible sources of unexpected chemicals and elements in consumer products, including the use of recycled E-waste plastics and 2) demonstrate bromine detection with nondestructive spectroscopy as an indicator of brominated flame retardants contaminating new products via recycled waste streams. More than 1500 consumer products of diverse types purchased in 2012-2014 were examined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for correlations between bromine and other elements. New electronic products were much more likely than new non-electronics to contain greater than 1000 ppm bromine, consistent with intentionally added flame retardants, while non- electronic products were more likely to contain between 5 and 100 ppm bromine, suggesting unintentional contamination. A typical suite of elements present in E-waste was found in a majority of plastic products. Two product categories, vinyl floor tiles and beaded necklaces/garlands, were explored in more detail. Specific flame retardant chemicals in bead samples were identified by mass spectrometry and their distribution in beads was studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Five brominated chemicals typically used as flame retardants, including BDE-209, were identified in 50 of 50 Mardi Gras beads analyzed.展开更多
The high mountains of northern Pakistan comprise the western section of the Hindu KushKarakoram-Himalayas(HKH)region of South and Central Asia.They are home to some rare and endangered species of fauna and flora which...The high mountains of northern Pakistan comprise the western section of the Hindu KushKarakoram-Himalayas(HKH)region of South and Central Asia.They are home to some rare and endangered species of fauna and flora which form an important link in the biodiversity of the region as a whole.Increasing population and changing life styles in recent decades have brought unprecedented pressures on the biodiversity of this region.Along with the government,the non-governmental organizations(NGOs)and communities have a crucial role to play in conserving biodiversity.In this regard,a number of undertakings to protect depleting species have been initiated by governmental and nongovernmental entities.These efforts are commendable and some have produced positive results,but many exist on a small scale and,with a few exceptions,are not self-sustaining.This paper reports on some of these initiatives of conserving big mammal species like the Astor markhor,Blue sheep,Himalayan brown bear,Himalayan ibex and Snow leopard,with the aim of collating and highlighting them,identifying gaps in conservation and suggesting a way forward so as to promote conservation projects on a larger and more sustainable basis.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the post-transcriptional regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 by p53. Methods: The MDA-MB-468 cells have endogenous mutant p53 and the MCF7 cells lines have wtp53. Recombinant p53 expression and p21WAF...Objective: To investigate the post-transcriptional regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 by p53. Methods: The MDA-MB-468 cells have endogenous mutant p53 and the MCF7 cells lines have wtp53. Recombinant p53 expression and p21WAF1/CIP1 induction were detected by Western blot analysis. Northern blot analysis was carried out to examine whether changes in p21WAF1/CIP1 protein levels in MCF7 cells treated with AdCMVp53 are reflected at the mRNA level. Flow cytometric analysis of MCF7 cells following overexpression of recombination. Results: The ratio of p53: p21WAF1/CIP1 was below 1 at the early stages of AdCMVp53 infection, but increased to 1.6 by day 3 and to 9.7 by day 5 post-infection. As expected, p21WAF1/CIP1 expression was not detectable in MDA-MB-468 cells despite the presence of high levels of mutant p53 protein. The G1/S ratios in untreated controls and AdCMVβgal infected MCF7 cells were 1.10 and 1.35, respectively. By Northern blot analyzing the p21WAF1/CIP1: GAPDH ratios at different time points against the ratio at time point 0, a maximum 3-fold induction of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA expression relative to untreated control was observed on day 1 post-infection. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that MCF7 cells infected with AdCMVp53 undergo G1 arrest at both time points studied, with G1/S ratios ranging from 5.54 at day 1 to 5.65 at day 7. The G1/S ratios in untreated controls and AdCMVβgal infected MCF7 cells were 1.10 and 1.35, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that p53 could regulate p21WAF1/CIP1 gene expression at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in MCF7 cells. The latter mechanism may be involved in or be responsible for, the induction of cell cycle arrest by transcription-defective mutants of p53.展开更多
Several studies have been conducted in the past on carbon stock measurements in the tropical forests of Indonesia. This study is the first related research conducted in the New Guinea Island. In a degraded logged-over...Several studies have been conducted in the past on carbon stock measurements in the tropical forests of Indonesia. This study is the first related research conducted in the New Guinea Island. In a degraded logged-over secondary forest in Manokwari Regency （West Papua, Indonesia）, carbon stocks were measured for seven parts, i.e., above-ground biomass （AGB）, below-ground biomass （BGB）, under-storey biomass （B）, necromass of dead leaves （N~）, necromass of dead trees （Art）, litter （L） and soil （S） using appropriate equations and laboratory analysis. Total carbon stocks were measured at 642.8 tC.h~~ in the low disturbance area, 536.9 tC＇ha-~ in the moderate disturbance area and 490.4 tC＇ha ~ in the high disturbance area. Bu, N1 and N were not significant in the carbon stock and were collectively categorized as a total biomass complex. The carbon stock of litter was nearly equal to that of the total biomass complex, while the total carbon stock in the soil was eight times larger than the total biomass complex or the carbon stock of the litter. We confirmed that the average ratio of AGB and BGB to the total biomass （TB） was about 84.7% and 15.3%, respectively. Improvements were made to the equations in the low disturbance logged-over secondary forest area, applying corrections to the amounts ofbiomass of sample trees, based on representative commercial trees of category one. TB stocks before and after correction were estimated to be 84.4 and 106.7 tC.ha-~, indicating that these corrections added significant amounts of tree biomass （26.4%） dur- ing the sampling procedure. In conclusion, the equations for tree biomass developed in this study, will be useful for evaluating total carbon stocks, especially TB stocks in logged-over secondary forests throughout the Papua region.展开更多
This study aims to analyze how park households perceive the economic,sociocultural,and environmental impacts of ecotourism in Simien Mountain National Park(SMNP),Ethiopia.We combined qualitative and quantitative techn...This study aims to analyze how park households perceive the economic,sociocultural,and environmental impacts of ecotourism in Simien Mountain National Park(SMNP),Ethiopia.We combined qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection.A sequentially embedded mixed design that gives priority to quantitative data was used.We also employed a multistage sampling technique to select respondents from three districts or woredas,namely Debark,Janamora,and Beyeda woredas.Finally,397 participants were involved in the study from a random selection of three villages from each district or woreda.Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire,interviews,and focus group discussions.Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods,including means,standard deviations,analysis of variance(ANOVA),and logistic regression models.The findings from a logistic regression analysis revealed that ecotourism participation had a significant relationship with gender(B=1.850,P=0.023),level of education(B=0.238,P=0.032),geographical location(B=0.420,P=0.041),and occupation(B=0.920,P=0.019).This investigation suggested that males and individuals with a higher educational background are more likely to possess optimistic perspectives concerning the impacts of ecotourism.Furthermore,individuals residing in districts relatively near ecotourism destinations,those engaged in tourism-related work,and younger participants were recognized as having optimistic viewpoints regarding the impacts of ecotourism.In conclusion,the study highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to maximize ecotourism’s benefits and minimize negative effects in SMNP.To achieve this,it is recommended that the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Agency,the Ministry of Tourism,and local government should work together to develop sustainable tourism plans that enhance local livelihoods and park conditions.Efforts should focus on increasing the participation of females and individuals with lower education levels through training and resource provision.展开更多
The increase of probability and depth of weather anomalies, which is important characteristic of climate change process, leads to higher risk of loss of perennial grasses forage yield, rise of price volatility on fora...The increase of probability and depth of weather anomalies, which is important characteristic of climate change process, leads to higher risk of loss of perennial grasses forage yield, rise of price volatility on forage grain market. Increase of sustainability of dairy production supposes development of adapted to new weather conditions technologies of forage production, which are characterized by different investment and current costs. It generates a need of economic evaluation and comparative analysis of technologies taking into account climate change forecast and need of sustainable forage production guarantee. Purpose of the research project is the development of approaches to assessing adaptive technologies in forage production, increasing of dairy farming sustainability to changes in the external environment, including climate change. We assessed changes in forage production technologies in the Leningrad region of Russia, analyzed the implications of these changes for production and financial performance of dairy farming, proposed and tested methods for determination of the optimum harvesting time of perennial grasses. Special attention is paid to the long-term effects of changing the structure of cows＇ diet--shortening the productive use of animals, which reduces the efficiency of dairy herd use and limits the possibility of expanded reproduction. The primary method of the study is the analysis of milk production statistics in the Leningrad region and the Russian Federation. As a result of the study, the necessity to improve the production and investment planning quality, as well as the use of forecasts during planning of dairy production, is grounded.展开更多
Sustainable agriculture plays an important role in achieving sustainable development goals with regard to food security and environmental conservation.Sustainable agriculture relies on sustainable farming practices th...Sustainable agriculture plays an important role in achieving sustainable development goals with regard to food security and environmental conservation.Sustainable agriculture relies on sustainable farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas production,the wise use of local natural resources,and reductions in negative impacts on the environment and human health.Sustainable farming practices can be driven by various factors,such as the socio-environmental setting,socio-cognitive factors,agricultural institutions,and policy.This study used the knowledge,attitude,and practice(KAP)model to examine farmers’knowledge,attitudes,and practices in the area of sustainable agriculture.It also considered the factors affecting farmers’knowledge,attitudes,and practices.Two different socio-environmental contextual settings in Surin Province(a Thai-Cambodian border province)of Thailand are considered.The results show that there are differences between the two different socio-environmental contextual settings with regard to farmers’sustainable agricultural practice perceptions,knowledge,and attitudes.Farmers’perceptions of environmental degradation,the number of years of agricultural experience,and agricultural policy drive farmers’attitudes and individual sustainable practices.Another major result of the study is that individual farmers’attitudes and practices promote collective sustainable agricultural behaviors.The implication of these findings is that it is necessary to improve the learning ability of individual farmers on the environment and sustainable agricultural practices through social learning and scientific knowledge dissemination,so as to produce sustainable collective development behaviors.展开更多
This study is conducted mainly to analyse the effect of water and sanitation on childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa region. The empirical approach uses longitudinal data sourced from the World Development Indica...This study is conducted mainly to analyse the effect of water and sanitation on childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa region. The empirical approach uses longitudinal data sourced from the World Development Indicators (World Bank) for the period 2000-2015. Infant and under-five mortality rates were used as indicators for childhood mortality. To diminish the possible confounding influence of water and sanitation in the child mortality regressions, we use an instrumental variable approach based on dynamic panel estimators or the general method of moment (GMM). The study finds that in sub-Saharan Africa region, water and sanitation has a strong impact on reducing both infant and under-five mortality rates. Furthermore, the study finds public health expenditure and aids all work together to reduce the possibility of infant and under-five deaths in sub-Saharan Africa countries. These findings call for policymakers to pay a great deal of attention to increasing investment in water and sanitation, improving official development assistance (ODA) along with increased public spending on health as these are all important factors that can help to decrease infant and under-five deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.展开更多
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 emphasizes the need for economies around the world to double their efforts in energy efficiency improvements.This is because improvements in energy efficiency can trig...The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 emphasizes the need for economies around the world to double their efforts in energy efficiency improvements.This is because improvements in energy efficiency can trigger economic growth and considered as one of the‘green’growth strategies due to its carbon free content.To this end,some empirical studies have investigated the nexus between economic growth and energy efficiency,but the effects of the latter on financial indicators have not been sufficiently studied in the literature,at least in developing economies like Africa.This study examines the effect of energy efficiency improvements on commercial bank profitability under different political regimes(i.e.,autocratic and democratic political regimes);something previous literature had neglected.The study uses panel data,consisting of 43 African countries and the simultaneous System Generalized Method of Moments.We found that energy efficiency improvement is more likely to induce higher bank profitability in political institutions with the characteristics of centralization of power compared with those with decentralization of power.Furthermore,for the banking sector,the findings suggest that energy utilization behavior of clients should be included in the loan or credit valuation process.For the government,the agenda of energy efficiency should be aggressively pursued while taking cognizance of creating a political environment that weans itself from a‘grandfathering’behavior.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology High Tech Ship Special Project(Grant No.CBG3N21-2-6).
文摘Extracted natural gas hydrate is a multi-phase and multi-component mixture,and its complex composition poses significant challenges for transmission and transportation,including phase changes following extraction and sediment deposition within the pipeline.This study examines the flow and heat transfer characteristics of hydrates in a riser,focusing on the multi-phase flow behavior of natural gas hydrate in the development riser.Additionally,the effects of hydrate flow and seawater temperature on heat exchange are analyzed by simulating the ambient temperature conditions of the South China Sea.The findings reveal that the increase in unit pressure drop is primarily attributed to higher flowvelocities,which result in increased friction of the hydrate flowwithin the development riser.For example,at a hydrate volume fraction of 10%,the unit pressure drop rises by 166.65%and 270.81% when the average inlet velocity is increased from1.0 to 3.0m/s(a two-fold increase)and 5.0 m/s(a four-fold increase),respectively.Furthermore,the riser outlet temperature rises with increasing hydrate flowrates.Under specific heat loss conditions,the flowratemust exceed a minimum threshold to ensure safe transportation.The study also indicates that the riser outlet temperature increases with higher seawater temperatures.Within the seawater temperature range of 5℃ to 15℃,the heat transfer efficiency is reduced compared to the range of 15℃ to 20℃.This discrepancy is due to the fact that as the seawater temperature rises,the convective heat transfer coefficient between the hydrate and the inner wall of the riser also increases,leading to improved overall heat transfer between the hydrate and the pipeline.
文摘This study aims to develop a scale to evaluate depressive states among elderly patients in general wards, and verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Based on the results of interviews with nurses, we developed a draft of a scale comprised of 48 questions (NDE48). The Geriatric Depression Scale short version (GDS15), and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were administered to 54 elderly patients. Two groups of nurses completed the NDE48 on different days. After performing an explanatory factor analysis, the NDE48 was simplified to a 16 question item scale (NDE16), comprising three factors. The correlation coefficient between GDS15 and NDE16 was 0.41 (p = 0.00191), and between SDS and NDE16 was 0.30 (p = 0.02633). Alpha coefficient of the total score of NDE16 was 0.88. For inter-rater reliability, the correlation coefficient was 0.57 (p = 0.00005). The findings suggest that the NDE16 will be highly useful when nurses evaluate depressive states among elderly inpatients.
文摘Coastal land transformation has been identified as a topic of research in many countries around the world.Several studies have been conducted to determine the causes and impacts of land transformation.However,much less is understood about coupling change detection,factors,impacts,and adaptation strategies for coastal land transformation at a global scale.This review aims to present a systematic review of global coastal land transformation and its leading research areas.From 1,741 documents of Scopus and Web of Science,60 studies have been selected using the PRISMA-2020 guideline.Results revealed that existing literature included four leading focus areas regarding coastal land transformation:change detection,driving factors,impacts,and adaptation measures.These focus areas were further analyzed,and it was found that more than 80%of studies used Landsat imagery to detect land transformation.Population growth and urbanization were among the major driving factors identified.This review further identified that about 37%of studies included impact analysis.These studies identified impacts on ecosystems,land surface temperature,migration,water quality,and occupational effects as significant impacts.However,only four studies included adaptation strategies.This review explored the scope of comprehensive research in coastal land transformation,addressing change detection,factor and impact analysis,and mitigation-adaptation strategies.The research also proposes a conceptual framework for comprehensive coastal land transformation analysis.The framework can provide potential decision-making guidance for future studies in coastal land transformation.
文摘Water-related hazards, such as river floods, flash floods and droughts, are becoming more frequent in the Upper Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand, due to climate change and urbanization, causing significant societal, economic, and environmental damage. This study supports decision-making for nature-based solutions (NBS) to address mitigate these hazards. Using multi-criteria decision analysis, simulation modeling, and spatial analysis, the study identified precipitation and river discharges as key hazard drivers. Mapping hazard severity at various scales, the findings suggest that expanding green areas and water storage can enhance water management and reduce hazard impacts. This research offers critical insights for NBS adoption in water-related risk reduction.
基金the Royal Thai Government(RTG)provided financing for this study,as well as a scholarship to assist PhD studies at the Asian Institute of Technology(AIT)The National Science and Technology Development Agency(NSTDA)of Thailand via the Development of High-Quality Research Graduates in Science and Technology Project,a collaboration between NSTDA and AIT, also offers a top-up scholarship for this study
文摘Road transport plays a crucial role in facilitating mobility and the movement of goods,particularly in the Extended Bangkok Metropolitan Region(EBMR),Thailand.This area is undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization,resulting in significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions.This study examined the relationships among individual socioeconomic factors,travel characteristics,and energy consumption characteristics and their impacts on GHG emissions from road transport.The path analysis technique was applied to identify the key driving factors and their causal relationships.The data were collected through 1600 questionnaire surveys with road drivers in representative areas of the EBMR from December 2022 to May 2023.The results revealed that individual socioeconomic factors significantly influenced GHG emissions from road transport.Among the drivers,factors such as income,age,education,and driving experience indirectly influenced travel characteristics and energy consumption characteristics,impacting GHG emissions.Similarly,individual socioeconomic factors affected the travel characteristics of tourists and personal travelers.Driving experience was a crucial factor for public road transport and freight vehicle drivers,influencing travel characteristics and contributing to GHG emissions.These findings highlight the importance of key policy recommendations,such as promoting the adoption of electric vehicles,optimizing public transport,incentivizing low-emission tourism,and modernizing freight transport with clean technologies,to enhance efficiency,reduce emissions,and support regional sustainability.This study provides policy-makers with insights into the key factors influencing GHG emissions across different driving factors,revealing how individual socioeconomic factors impact travel characteristics and energy consumption characteristics.The findings will inform the development of targeted emission reduction strategies and sustainable transport policies.
基金financed by the Hercules Foundation(project AKUL/13/47)funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 874837+2 种基金supported by the Flemish Government(department of Economy,Science and Innovation)through the Regenerative Medicine Crossing Borders(http://www.regmedxb.com)initiativeImages were recorded on a Zeiss LSM 780-SP Mai Tai HP DS(Cell and Tissue Imaging Cluster(CIC),Supported by Hercules AKUL/11/37 and FWO G.0929.15 to Pieter Vanden Berghe,University of Leuvensupported by Interne Fondsen KU Leuven/Internal Funds KU Leuven grant numbers C24M/22/058.
文摘Clinical translation of tissue-engineered advanced therapeutic medicinal products is hindered by a lack of patient-dependent and independent in-process biological quality controls that are reflective of in vivo outcomes.Recent insights into the mechanism of native bone repair highlight a robust path dependence.Organoid-based bottom-up developmental engineering mimics this pathdependence to design personalized living implants scaffold-free,with in-build outcome predictability.Yet,adequate(noninvasive)quality metrics of engineered tissues are lacking.Moreover,insufficient insight into the role of donor variability and biological sex as influencing factors for the mechanism toward bone repair hinders the implementation of such protocols for personalized bone implants.Here,male and female bone-forming organoids were compared to non-bone-forming organoids regarding their extracellular matrix composition,transcriptome,and secreted proteome signatures to directly link in vivo outcomes to quality metrics.As a result,donor variability in bone-forming callus organoids pointed towards two distinct pathways to bone,through either a hypertrophic cartilage or a fibrocartilaginous template.The followed pathway was determined early,as a biological sexdependent activation of distinct progenitor populations.Independent of donor or biological sex,a cartilage-to-bone transition was driven by a common panel of secreted factors that played a role in extracellular matrix remodeling,mineralization,and attraction of vasculature.Hence,the secreted proteome is a source of noninvasive biomarkers that report on biological potency and could be the missing link toward data-driven decision-making in organoid-based bone tissue engineering.
文摘Coastal areas in the eastern sub-region of Thailand,a popular destination in Southeast Asia,are facing rapid tourism-related urbanization and associated consequences of environment and climate change(CC).Thus,this study aims to analyze the relationships between tourism,coastal areas,the environment,and CC in the context of tourism urbanization;and recommend strategies for enhancing the governance of coastal areas.Three popular destinations were selected as study areas,Koh Chang,Koh Mak,and Pattaya.Group discussions,questionnaire surveys,in-terviews,and observation were used for primary data collection together with secondary data.The results show that the development of these destinations has been incompatible with the coastal environment and CC patterns.Rapid urbanization from tourism development is the main driver of environmental changes and makes the areas vulnerable to CC-related risks.While water scarcity and pollution are found the most critical environmental issues of the destinations,coastal areas are negatively affected in terms of increased air and water pollution and resource degradation.They have also been exposed to different CC-related problems while the risks of accumulative impacts of both environment and CC have not been adequately recognized or addressed.Although some measures have provided synergies of improved environment and increased climate resilience,possible conflicts and gaps were also found.Public infrastructure integration and optimization to enhance coastal areas'environment and climate resilience are suggested.
文摘Establishment of Protected Areas （PAs）, in the face of rapid deforestation, forest degradation and climate change has been one of the key efforts in conservation of biodiversity worldwide in recent times. While Bangladesh has gained a degree of prominence in the world for its successful social forestry programs, the concept of collaborative pro- tected area management is rather new in the country, initiated in 2004 by the Bangladesh Forest Department in five PAs with financial assistance from USAID. Based on empirical evidence from three of the pilot PAs, we examined the achievements and associated challenges and prospects for co-management. Our fieldwork revealed a number of challenges faced by co-management institutions： （1） institutions were dominated by the elite group, overshadowing the voice of the community people; （2） mutual trust and collective performance are key to good governance but had not taken root in the PAs; （3） encroachment onto forest land and subsequent conversion to agriculture remained a serious problem that discouraged forest-dependent people from participating actively in co-management initiatives; （4） legal provisions （including acts, rules and policies） were not clearly and adequately disseminated and understood at the community level; （5） there remained a degree of ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of forest department （FD） and co-management committees （CMC） in field operations, and this was not enhancing transparency and accountability of the overall initiative; （6） the long-term sustainability of co-management institutions was another major concern, as the local intuitional structure was still in a nascent stage, and provisioning of resources （either internally or externally） remained somewhat uncertain. We offer recommendations for improve- ment.
文摘This study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of village doctors to essential medicines list (EML) and accessibility of essential medicines (EMs) distribution to improve the implementation of EML in village clinics.A total of 422 village doctors from five counties in three provinces of China were surveyed by questionnaires.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the main factors associated with village doctors' evaluation of EML.The results showed that village doctors had a negative evaluation in satisfaction level of EML to village-based care and accessibility of EM distribution.The government should adjust EML regularly based on the actual health status of local villagers in China and focus on adding appropriate drugs that meet the needs of villagers with chronic disease.The local government should also attach importance to the distribution of EMs and maintain their supply in village clinics.
基金Supported by The Russian Scientific Foundation,Moscow,Russian Federation,No.14-15-00112
文摘Inflammation plays an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis. The initiation and growth of atherosclerotic plaques is accompanied by recruitment of inflammatory and precursor cells from the bloodstream and their differentiation towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes. This process is orchestrated by the production of a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Human arterial intima consists of structurally distinct leaflets, with a proteoglycan-rich layer lying immediately below the endothelial lining. Recent studies reveal the important role of stellate pericyte-like cells(intimal pericytes) populating the proteoglycan-rich layer in the development of atherosclerosis. During the pathologic process, intimal pericytes may participate in the recruitment of inflammatory cells by producing signalling molecules and play a role in the antigen presentation. Intimal pericytes are also involved in lipid accumulation and the formation of foam cells. This review focuses on the role of pericytelike cells in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.
文摘Well-managed forests are major sources of livelihoods for the fringed communities. However, the remoteness, inaccessibility of most forested areas coupled with conflicts from adjacent forest communities, who often depend on it for livelihood is a daunting task in implementing conservation, viz-a-viz the Sustainable Development Goals. The Mt Oku forest is a unique, remote but represents novelty in forest management in remote areas in Cameroon, with devolution of management rights. The forest is well noted for its high level of endemism. This study is focused on the legal, institutional, socio-economic and regulatory framework put in place, for appropriate conservation and livelihood sustenance as forest management rights were devolved to the local community. A multidimensional framework guiding the development of testable hypothesis that assesses the relationship between the forest users’ activities and forest degradation, which have a multiplier effect on the SDGs, was used. The alternate livelihood options/strategies and benefits after the institution of the Forest Management Project (FMP) was examined in randomly selected frontline and secondary villages. Selected Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and registers from FMIs aided relevant data collection. The results indicated a significant relationship (χ2 = 0.65.4, p = 0.00) between the activities of forest users and forest degradation. Adopted alternate livelihood strategies/options include, direct employment, tourist guides, bee farming, agricultural intensification, agroforestry, capacity building for skill acquisition, selective exploitation and sales of Prunus spp. Forest regeneration strategies ranged from, forest guards, removal of exotic species, forest enrichment, raising nurseries, fire tracing, etc. It is concluded that giving greater access and ownership of forest to the local community in the Mount Oku Region, led to transparency, accountability and social stability, which contributed tremendously both to the recovery and conservation of forest for improved livelihoods. However there is a dire need for the reinforcement of mechanisms for capacity building to improved livelihoods and conservation and the implementation of a system where stakeholders enjoy favorable conditions for information exchange and learning.
文摘Hazardous chemicals used in electronic and electrical consumer products can re-enter commerce when these products are recycled. The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the possible sources of unexpected chemicals and elements in consumer products, including the use of recycled E-waste plastics and 2) demonstrate bromine detection with nondestructive spectroscopy as an indicator of brominated flame retardants contaminating new products via recycled waste streams. More than 1500 consumer products of diverse types purchased in 2012-2014 were examined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for correlations between bromine and other elements. New electronic products were much more likely than new non-electronics to contain greater than 1000 ppm bromine, consistent with intentionally added flame retardants, while non- electronic products were more likely to contain between 5 and 100 ppm bromine, suggesting unintentional contamination. A typical suite of elements present in E-waste was found in a majority of plastic products. Two product categories, vinyl floor tiles and beaded necklaces/garlands, were explored in more detail. Specific flame retardant chemicals in bead samples were identified by mass spectrometry and their distribution in beads was studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Five brominated chemicals typically used as flame retardants, including BDE-209, were identified in 50 of 50 Mardi Gras beads analyzed.
文摘The high mountains of northern Pakistan comprise the western section of the Hindu KushKarakoram-Himalayas(HKH)region of South and Central Asia.They are home to some rare and endangered species of fauna and flora which form an important link in the biodiversity of the region as a whole.Increasing population and changing life styles in recent decades have brought unprecedented pressures on the biodiversity of this region.Along with the government,the non-governmental organizations(NGOs)and communities have a crucial role to play in conserving biodiversity.In this regard,a number of undertakings to protect depleting species have been initiated by governmental and nongovernmental entities.These efforts are commendable and some have produced positive results,but many exist on a small scale and,with a few exceptions,are not self-sustaining.This paper reports on some of these initiatives of conserving big mammal species like the Astor markhor,Blue sheep,Himalayan brown bear,Himalayan ibex and Snow leopard,with the aim of collating and highlighting them,identifying gaps in conservation and suggesting a way forward so as to promote conservation projects on a larger and more sustainable basis.
文摘Objective: To investigate the post-transcriptional regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 by p53. Methods: The MDA-MB-468 cells have endogenous mutant p53 and the MCF7 cells lines have wtp53. Recombinant p53 expression and p21WAF1/CIP1 induction were detected by Western blot analysis. Northern blot analysis was carried out to examine whether changes in p21WAF1/CIP1 protein levels in MCF7 cells treated with AdCMVp53 are reflected at the mRNA level. Flow cytometric analysis of MCF7 cells following overexpression of recombination. Results: The ratio of p53: p21WAF1/CIP1 was below 1 at the early stages of AdCMVp53 infection, but increased to 1.6 by day 3 and to 9.7 by day 5 post-infection. As expected, p21WAF1/CIP1 expression was not detectable in MDA-MB-468 cells despite the presence of high levels of mutant p53 protein. The G1/S ratios in untreated controls and AdCMVβgal infected MCF7 cells were 1.10 and 1.35, respectively. By Northern blot analyzing the p21WAF1/CIP1: GAPDH ratios at different time points against the ratio at time point 0, a maximum 3-fold induction of p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA expression relative to untreated control was observed on day 1 post-infection. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that MCF7 cells infected with AdCMVp53 undergo G1 arrest at both time points studied, with G1/S ratios ranging from 5.54 at day 1 to 5.65 at day 7. The G1/S ratios in untreated controls and AdCMVβgal infected MCF7 cells were 1.10 and 1.35, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that p53 could regulate p21WAF1/CIP1 gene expression at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in MCF7 cells. The latter mechanism may be involved in or be responsible for, the induction of cell cycle arrest by transcription-defective mutants of p53.
文摘Several studies have been conducted in the past on carbon stock measurements in the tropical forests of Indonesia. This study is the first related research conducted in the New Guinea Island. In a degraded logged-over secondary forest in Manokwari Regency （West Papua, Indonesia）, carbon stocks were measured for seven parts, i.e., above-ground biomass （AGB）, below-ground biomass （BGB）, under-storey biomass （B）, necromass of dead leaves （N~）, necromass of dead trees （Art）, litter （L） and soil （S） using appropriate equations and laboratory analysis. Total carbon stocks were measured at 642.8 tC.h~~ in the low disturbance area, 536.9 tC＇ha-~ in the moderate disturbance area and 490.4 tC＇ha ~ in the high disturbance area. Bu, N1 and N were not significant in the carbon stock and were collectively categorized as a total biomass complex. The carbon stock of litter was nearly equal to that of the total biomass complex, while the total carbon stock in the soil was eight times larger than the total biomass complex or the carbon stock of the litter. We confirmed that the average ratio of AGB and BGB to the total biomass （TB） was about 84.7% and 15.3%, respectively. Improvements were made to the equations in the low disturbance logged-over secondary forest area, applying corrections to the amounts ofbiomass of sample trees, based on representative commercial trees of category one. TB stocks before and after correction were estimated to be 84.4 and 106.7 tC.ha-~, indicating that these corrections added significant amounts of tree biomass （26.4%） dur- ing the sampling procedure. In conclusion, the equations for tree biomass developed in this study, will be useful for evaluating total carbon stocks, especially TB stocks in logged-over secondary forests throughout the Papua region.
文摘This study aims to analyze how park households perceive the economic,sociocultural,and environmental impacts of ecotourism in Simien Mountain National Park(SMNP),Ethiopia.We combined qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection.A sequentially embedded mixed design that gives priority to quantitative data was used.We also employed a multistage sampling technique to select respondents from three districts or woredas,namely Debark,Janamora,and Beyeda woredas.Finally,397 participants were involved in the study from a random selection of three villages from each district or woreda.Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire,interviews,and focus group discussions.Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods,including means,standard deviations,analysis of variance(ANOVA),and logistic regression models.The findings from a logistic regression analysis revealed that ecotourism participation had a significant relationship with gender(B=1.850,P=0.023),level of education(B=0.238,P=0.032),geographical location(B=0.420,P=0.041),and occupation(B=0.920,P=0.019).This investigation suggested that males and individuals with a higher educational background are more likely to possess optimistic perspectives concerning the impacts of ecotourism.Furthermore,individuals residing in districts relatively near ecotourism destinations,those engaged in tourism-related work,and younger participants were recognized as having optimistic viewpoints regarding the impacts of ecotourism.In conclusion,the study highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to maximize ecotourism’s benefits and minimize negative effects in SMNP.To achieve this,it is recommended that the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Agency,the Ministry of Tourism,and local government should work together to develop sustainable tourism plans that enhance local livelihoods and park conditions.Efforts should focus on increasing the participation of females and individuals with lower education levels through training and resource provision.
文摘The increase of probability and depth of weather anomalies, which is important characteristic of climate change process, leads to higher risk of loss of perennial grasses forage yield, rise of price volatility on forage grain market. Increase of sustainability of dairy production supposes development of adapted to new weather conditions technologies of forage production, which are characterized by different investment and current costs. It generates a need of economic evaluation and comparative analysis of technologies taking into account climate change forecast and need of sustainable forage production guarantee. Purpose of the research project is the development of approaches to assessing adaptive technologies in forage production, increasing of dairy farming sustainability to changes in the external environment, including climate change. We assessed changes in forage production technologies in the Leningrad region of Russia, analyzed the implications of these changes for production and financial performance of dairy farming, proposed and tested methods for determination of the optimum harvesting time of perennial grasses. Special attention is paid to the long-term effects of changing the structure of cows＇ diet--shortening the productive use of animals, which reduces the efficiency of dairy herd use and limits the possibility of expanded reproduction. The primary method of the study is the analysis of milk production statistics in the Leningrad region and the Russian Federation. As a result of the study, the necessity to improve the production and investment planning quality, as well as the use of forecasts during planning of dairy production, is grounded.
基金financially supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC)
文摘Sustainable agriculture plays an important role in achieving sustainable development goals with regard to food security and environmental conservation.Sustainable agriculture relies on sustainable farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas production,the wise use of local natural resources,and reductions in negative impacts on the environment and human health.Sustainable farming practices can be driven by various factors,such as the socio-environmental setting,socio-cognitive factors,agricultural institutions,and policy.This study used the knowledge,attitude,and practice(KAP)model to examine farmers’knowledge,attitudes,and practices in the area of sustainable agriculture.It also considered the factors affecting farmers’knowledge,attitudes,and practices.Two different socio-environmental contextual settings in Surin Province(a Thai-Cambodian border province)of Thailand are considered.The results show that there are differences between the two different socio-environmental contextual settings with regard to farmers’sustainable agricultural practice perceptions,knowledge,and attitudes.Farmers’perceptions of environmental degradation,the number of years of agricultural experience,and agricultural policy drive farmers’attitudes and individual sustainable practices.Another major result of the study is that individual farmers’attitudes and practices promote collective sustainable agricultural behaviors.The implication of these findings is that it is necessary to improve the learning ability of individual farmers on the environment and sustainable agricultural practices through social learning and scientific knowledge dissemination,so as to produce sustainable collective development behaviors.
文摘This study is conducted mainly to analyse the effect of water and sanitation on childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa region. The empirical approach uses longitudinal data sourced from the World Development Indicators (World Bank) for the period 2000-2015. Infant and under-five mortality rates were used as indicators for childhood mortality. To diminish the possible confounding influence of water and sanitation in the child mortality regressions, we use an instrumental variable approach based on dynamic panel estimators or the general method of moment (GMM). The study finds that in sub-Saharan Africa region, water and sanitation has a strong impact on reducing both infant and under-five mortality rates. Furthermore, the study finds public health expenditure and aids all work together to reduce the possibility of infant and under-five deaths in sub-Saharan Africa countries. These findings call for policymakers to pay a great deal of attention to increasing investment in water and sanitation, improving official development assistance (ODA) along with increased public spending on health as these are all important factors that can help to decrease infant and under-five deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.
文摘The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 emphasizes the need for economies around the world to double their efforts in energy efficiency improvements.This is because improvements in energy efficiency can trigger economic growth and considered as one of the‘green’growth strategies due to its carbon free content.To this end,some empirical studies have investigated the nexus between economic growth and energy efficiency,but the effects of the latter on financial indicators have not been sufficiently studied in the literature,at least in developing economies like Africa.This study examines the effect of energy efficiency improvements on commercial bank profitability under different political regimes(i.e.,autocratic and democratic political regimes);something previous literature had neglected.The study uses panel data,consisting of 43 African countries and the simultaneous System Generalized Method of Moments.We found that energy efficiency improvement is more likely to induce higher bank profitability in political institutions with the characteristics of centralization of power compared with those with decentralization of power.Furthermore,for the banking sector,the findings suggest that energy utilization behavior of clients should be included in the loan or credit valuation process.For the government,the agenda of energy efficiency should be aggressively pursued while taking cognizance of creating a political environment that weans itself from a‘grandfathering’behavior.
