PM production and properties of porous titanium : M. Bram et al. (Forschungzentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany)

Interpreting bargaining strategies of developing countries in climate negotiations. A quantitative approach

The use of the term “biodiversity” in the aquatic literature has expanded rapidly during the last years. In this paper, we address the influence of the geographic, social and economic characteristics of a country in the published effort as it appears in the bibliography from the corresponding author of each publication. Social and geographic characteristics are expressed by coast length, population, the population living a maximum of 100 km from the coast, population density, total fish catches, and continental shelf surface. Economic characteristics are expressed by gross national product, gross national product per capita, footprint and ecological deficit. Our results showed that the majority of the published aquatic biodiversity research was in aquatic ecology journals. The number of publications referring to marine biodiversity per country of origin of the corresponding author was significantly correlated to the length of coastline, fisheries production, gross national product, population density and other economic, social and geographic characteristics of the country. Most of the highly publishing countries are developed countries with an ecologically harmful lifestyle. The research per country carried out in non-adjacent to the country sea zones remains low.

The article deals with the inter-district (76 districts) migration of population in the Czech republic during the late 70's early 80's. In the first part the district's typology according to their geographic, economic, social and demographic characteristics has been carried out by the use of cluster analysis. In the following sections districts are classified with regards to several characteristics of migration (age groups and stated reasons for moving). In the final part the relationship between geographic, economic and social characteristics, and migration, is investigated by using stepwise regression analysis.

In a yearlong ethnographic study, we actively participated as members of the national planning committee for fourteen local climate conferences, we examined how citizen participation was imagined and enacted. We introduce a framework for studying the relationship between cognitive engagement, learning, and civic engagement in the public sphere. We describe the different levels of cognitive and civic engagement in the design of climate conference activities. The findings suggest that the planners’ approach to democracy, the involvement of environmental NGOs, and individual attitudes toward environmental change, may collectively contribute to diminished levels of cognitive and civic engagement among residents. Furthermore, we observed that more collaborative interpretations of cognitive and civic engagement align closely with deliberative democracy approaches, emphasizing inclusive, dialogical processes. We discuss the implications of these findings for the future design of climate conferences and how they relate to the evolving roles of environmental NGOs.

The paper considers the causes and consequences of climate change on planet Earth. Including global warming and the need to switch to alternative energy sources, as well as the decarbonization of various industries. It is shown that the main causes of global warming are human activities and the use of fossil fuels as energy carriers. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is closely related to the problems of changing the structure of the energy sector in almost all countries of the world. Listed are international organizations that deal with climate problems and monitor changes in temperature and the content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere of the planet. The work of these organizations based on UN climate conferences in the period 1992 to 2022 to develop solutions aimed at the decarbonization of the main industries and, above all, energy is analyzed. It is shown that the Paris Agreement is a key element of the multilateral climate process. It is the first ever legally binding document that unites countries in the pursuit of a common goal of combating and adapting to climate change. At COP-26 in 2021, a climate package was signed, which confirmed the main goal of limiting global warming to only 1.5°C. Many promises have been made regarding the use of new technologies and renewable energy sources, improving the energy efficiency of old equipment. According to scientists' forecasts, climate changes will increase in all regions of the planet in the coming decade. Emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity were and remain the main causes of global warming. However, after the start of the war in Ukraine, much of what most countries previously agreed to became unfeasible. The war changed the political and economic outlook, and global inflation escalated. The energy crisis has arrived. According to IPCC experts, 2022 has become a year of stagnation and a departure from previously chosen positions. It is shown that war can make some countries think about energy self-sufficiency and saving energy resources. These issues were discussed at the climate conference COP-27 in Egypt. Among the issues discussed at COP-27, the main one was the decarbonization of the energy system

The majority of population health risk factors in the United States are closely related to the social, demographic, environmental, economic, and geographic characteristics of the areas where people live and work (Harold, 2014). Despite an exponential increase in health risks and mortality rates, Blue Zones exist. The term "Blue Zone" refers to an area or community with a high concentration of centenarians and populations of people who have lived to old age free of “disease and/or health conditions such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, and heart issues” (Marston et al., 2021). Factors identified as commonalities between Blue Zones can be applied to communities regardless of their social, demographic, environmental, economic, and geographic characteristics. Thus, the examination and implementation of Blue Zone practices may be applicable to the improvement of public health within the United States. While a variety of actions may be taken to improve health within the United States, this paper examines the viability of the implementation of Blue Zone practices within communities, the implementation of lifestyle medicine framework within healthcare facilities, and ultimately, suggests the implementation of a synthesis of the respective frameworks.

Objective: We examined associations between older drivers' social and environmental characteristics and odds of using non-driving transportation modes. Methods: Using 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study data for community-dwelling drivers (n = 5102), we estimated logistic regression models of associations between social characteristics, environmental characteristics, and odds of using non-driving transportation modes three years later. Results: Drivers had 20% increase in odds of getting rides three years later for each additional confidante (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-1.30). Drivers living in more walkable neighborhoods were more likely to walk to get places (National Walkability Index [NWI] score of 18 vs. 2 aOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02-2.90) and take public transit three years later (NWI 18 vs. 2 aOR = 7.47, 95% CI: 1.69-33.0). Discussion: Identifying modifiable social and environmental characteristics can inform future interventions supporting older adults' health during the transition to non-driving.

As the global pandemic situation continues and abnormal climate conditions continue, ESG has received more attention, and the introduction of ESG management by IT platform companies has become active. Therefore, the ESG characteristics of IT platform companies will affect corporate image and consumer trust, and influence consumers' purchase intentions. This paper focused on the impact of ESG management of IT platform companies on consumer purchase intention. Therefore, based on previous research, this study classifies the characteristics of each ESG area into environmental characteristics, social characteristics, and governance characteristics, and presents two parameters, corporate image and consumer trust, to determine their impact on purchase intention. A corresponding research model was constructed. Samples were collected by means of questionnaires and empirical analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 4.0 and IBM SPSS 23.0 to verify the hypotheses. The following conclusion are drawn. First, ESG management activities, environmental, social, and dominant structural characteristics all have a positive impact on corporate image. H1 was adopted. Second, environmental characteristics do not affect consumer trust. thus, H2-1 was rejected. H2 was partially adopted. Third, corporate image has a positive impact on consumer trust. H4 was accepted.. Corporate image has a positive impact on purchase intention. H4 was accepted. Consumer trust has a positive impact on purchase intention, so H5 was adopted.

To examine measures to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions, this research focus on CO_2 emissions per that reflects the unique social and economic aspects of each country and the degree of influence of factors affecting CO_2 emissions per was evaluated comprehensively and quantitatively by empirical analysis. The analysis employs panel data and was carried out both the world and national groups with similar economic and social characteristics. The result shows that Nominal GDP per capita that indicates one aspect of affluent life and Nominal per primary energy consumption that indicates energy use efficiency have strong influence on the global CO_2 emissions per capita, while the industrial sector composition and average temperature gives no significant effect. In country groups categorized by social and economic characteristics, there are significant effects due to differences in industrial sector composition and average temperature. Aiming for reduction of CO_2 emissions per capita, the country group mainly consist of BRICs must improve productivity in the industry, the group mainly consist of least developed countries should promote the use of the Internet, and group mainly consist of industrialized countries must improve energy efficiency, and the group mainly consist of developed countries are required to promote the introduction of renewable energy and improve heating efficiency.

To test the association between sociodemographic and social characteristics with COVID-19 cases and deaths in small and large Brazilian cities. This ecological study included COVID-19 data available in State Health Secretaries (managed by brasil.io API) and three national databases (IBGE, DATASUS and Embrapa). Temporal spread of COVID-19 in Brazil during the first year considered as outcome: a) days until 1st case in each city since 1st in the country; b) days until 1,000 cases/100,000 inhabitants since 1st case in each city; c) days until 1st death until 50 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. Covariates included geographic region, city social and environmental characteristics, housing conditions, job characteristics, socioeconomic and inequalities characteristics, and health services and coverage. The analysis were stratified by city size into small (<100,000 inhabitants) and large cities (≥100,00 inhabitants). Multiple linear regressions were performed to test associations of all covariates to adjust to potential confounders. In small cities, the first cases were reported after 82.2 days and 1,000 cases/100,000 were reported after 117.8 days, whereas in large cities these milestones were reported after 32.1 and 127.7 days, respectively. For first death, small and large cities took 121.6 and 36.0 days, respectively. However, small cities were associated with more vulnerability factors to first case arrival in 1,000 cases/100,000 inhabitants, first death and 50 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. North and Northeast regions positively associated with faster COVID-19 incidence, whereas South and Southeast were least. Social and built environment characteristics and inequalities were associated with COVID-19 cases spread and mortality incidence in Brazilian cities.

This study was to verify whether the environmental properties of a successful business in the food service industry impact on entrepreneurship and management performance. Research on entrepreneurship and environmental characteristics has been relatively limited worldwide. Two hundred and seventy one questionnaires were used in the final analysis, and the PASW Statistics 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 statistical package were employed. The results of this study suggest 1) The environmental properties of entrepreneurship identified here were different from previous studies. In other words, the innovation of entrepreneurship was affected by psychological traits and economic characteristics. 2) Risk taking was affected by economic and social characteristics. 3) The innovativeness of entrepreneurship was significantly related to financial performance. This study can contribute to examining environmental characteristics in relationship to entrepreneurship and management performances that are associated with success...

The environment in which middle-aged and elderly people face fewer social activities and exchanges are not active. In particular, they are in a situation where they have no choice but to live on their assets due to insufficient economic activities.This indicates that the quality of life may vary by demographic, social, and economic characteristics. This study analyzed the difference in the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people by demographic characteristics, social characteristics, and economic characteristics. As a result of the analysis, first, the difference in quality of life according to demographic characteristics showed significant differences in gender, age, and educational background, but there was no significant difference in gender, age, and educational background. Second, the difference in quality of life according to sociological characteristics was significantly different depending on the type of residence, residence area, subjective class consciousness, number of meetings, and participation in meetings (religion, fellowship, alumni association). Third, there was a significant difference in quality of life according to the general economic characteristics, such as the type of housing occupancy, the presence or absence of non-residential real estate, the presence or absence of economic activity, and individual gross income. The difference in quality of life according to asset holdings, which are economic power, showed significant differences in total real estate assets, total financial assets, other assets, total personal assets, and total personal liabilities, but there was no significant difference in self-purchased loans. These research results show that changes in the situation, such as population characteristics, sociological characteristics, and economic characteristics, are important variables that affect the quality of life. It can be said that it also mentions the need for efforts by the pan-government and society as a whole to improve factors that can be improved in these situations.

ObjectivesWe aimed to examine the associations of both objectively assessed and perceived physical and social neighborhood characteristics with happiness in European adults. In addition, we aimed to study how these associations differed among subgroups.MethodsParticipants (N = 6037) of the cross-sectional SPOTLIGHT survey reported on their level of happiness using a 5-point Likert scale, and on perceived physical and social environmental neighborhood characteristics. Objective physical environmental characteristics were assessed using a Google Street View-based neighborhood audit. Associations of 14 physical and social environmental characteristics with happiness were analyzed using multivariable multinomial regression analyses with clustered standard errors.ResultsLiving in neighborhoods with higher levels of aesthetics and more water and green space was associated with being very happy. Individuals who perceived their neighborhood to be safer, more functional and more aesthetic were more likely to be very happy. The associations of functionality and aesthetics with happiness were strongest in the Ghent region (Belgium), the Randstad (the Netherlands) and Greater London (United Kingdom). Perceived absence of air pollution was only associated with higher levels of happiness in more highly educated participants. Individuals with a larger social network, more social cohesion and who trusted their neighbors were more likely to be very happy. The association between social networks and happiness was somewhat stronger in men than in women. In general, the associations between environmental characteristics and happiness had similar directions and sizes across socio-economic and socio-demographic subgroups.ConclusionsThis European study provided evidence that both objectively assessed and perceived physical and social characteristics of the neighborhood environment are associated with the happiness of its residents.

The Treaty of Lisbon and European Union Trade Policy: A Political-Economic Analysis

We examine the relationship between concentration and price dispersion using variation induced by a merger in the Canadian mortgage market. Since interest rates are determined through a search and negotiation process, consolidation weakens consumers' bargaining positions. We use reduced-form techniques to estimate the mergers' distributional impact, and show that competition benefits only consumers at the bottom and middle of the transaction price distribution, and that mergers reduce the dispersion of prices. We illustrate that these effects can be explained by the presence of search frictions, and that the average effect of mergers on rates underestimates the increase in market power. (JEL G21, G34, K21, L13, L41)