Average Annual Growth Research Articles

Spatial Distribution of Population in Nepal: On the Basis of 2078 Census

The indicators of population change, which would affect distribution, include birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration. Significant adjustments to any of these indicators can alter how a population is distributed. The general patterns to the distribution of a population are known as spatial distribution patterns. Spatial distribution patterns can be uniform, random, or clumped. Additionally, population distribution is affected by population density, which is the number of individuals within a given area. This paper based on the major aspects of population changes i.e. size, growth and distribution of population in Nepal and based on censuses data over time. Population size and growth rate has been increasing over the time. It has rapidly increased since 1961—2011. In 2021 census, total population are 29.1 million, which is an increase of 10.1 million when compared to 26.4 million population recorded in 2011 census with an average annual growth rate of 0.93 percent (2021) lower than 1.35 percent growth rate reported in 2011 census. Tarai accounts 53.6 percent of the total population with percentage of average annual growth rate 1.56. By province level, Madhesh province holds more than twenty percent of the population of the country (i.e. 20.99 %) and an average annual growth rate 1.20 percent. It may be due to the inclusion Tarai in this region. The highest population growth rate is found in Bhaktapur district (3.32 %) and while the least is in Ramechhap (- 1.65 %). Overall the current dramatic decline in the population growth rate may be attributed to the absence heavy cause behind migration in various reasons.

Using Chemical Fertilizer to Major Cereal Crops in Baijnath Tole, Bhimdutta Municipality-19, Kanchanpur

The study, conducted in Baijnath tole, Bhimdatta municipality-19, Kanchanpur, Nepal, focuses on evaluating the impact of a chemical fertilizer pattern on major cereal crops, specifically paddy and wheat. Employing an empirical research with census survey method, the research investigates macronutrients, fertilizer sources, application rates, nutrient supply, and crop productivity. Data collected from 65 households using a semi structured questionnaire. By combining qualitative and quantitative data sources, it becomes evident that there has been a steady annual growth rate of around 12% in the utilization of chemical fertilizers for both paddy and wheat crops since the year 2075. This rise correlates with increased crop production, showing an average annual growth of 6% in paddy yields and a reversal of a 1% initial decrease in wheat, leading to a subsequent 4% annual increase over four years.
 This research study contributes by providing insights into specific agronomic techniques connected to the use of chemical fertilizers on important grain crops in the area. If the research tackles unique difficulties or opportunities in the study area, it could provide useful information to local farmers and others. This could include soil types, climate conditions, and socioeconomic aspects. The study investigates the economic elements of chemical fertilizer use, taking into account issues such as input costs, farmer return on investment, and the overall economic impact on Nepalese agriculture. This study examines the impacts of chemical fertilizer use on soil health and the environment, taking into account factors such as soil fertility, nutrient runoff, and any environmental sustainability concerns. The study presents findings on how the use of chemical fertilizers affects the productivity of main cereal crops, as well as data on yield improvements, crop quality, and potential obstacles or constraints.

Satellite Nighttime Light and Digital Elevation Data to Assess Urban Expansion in Floodplains of Dhaka City

This study aims to evaluate the potential of DMSP/OLS nighttime light data to investigate human presence and activity in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. The study explores the sensor's ability to detect and monitor urban expansion patterns and human presence and activity at a regional scale. Thematic land cover maps revealed a rapid expansion of built-up areas within the 43-year study period, increasing from 35 km² in 1972 to 378 km² in 2015, representing a net gain of approximately 980% and an average annual growth rate of 6%. Notably, this growth rate was significantly higher in peripheral areas (2903% and a yearly expansion rate of 8%) compared to the central city area (Dhaka City Corporation) (460% and an annual expansion rate of 4%). This substantial urbanisation has primarily occurred in Dhaka's northern, northwestern, and southwestern sectors, transforming previously agricultural land, vegetation cover, wetlands, and water bodies. The findings demonstrate the utility of DMSP/OLS imagery for detecting human activities and presence in the Dhaka region, providing valuable insights into urban expansion patterns and their implications for environmental and social dynamics.

Forecasting the energy demand and CO2 emissions of industrial sectors in China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region under energy transition.

As the world's greatest energy consumer, China's energy consumption and transition have become a focus of attention. The most significant location for regional integration in the north of China is the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, where the industrial sector dominates its energy consumption. Forecasting the energy demand and structure of industrial sectors in China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region may help to promote the energy transition and CO2 emission mitigation. This study conducts a model based on the year 2020 using the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) software and sets two scenarios (baseline scenario and emission peak scenario) to forecast the future energy demand and CO2 emissions of industrial sectors in China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region until the year 2035. Moreover, the industrial sectors are classified into traditional high-energy-consuming industries, emerging manufacturing industries, daily-related light industries, and other industries. The forecasting results show that (1) The industrial energy demand of the entire Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will grow from 234 Mtce in 2020 to 317 Mtce in 2035, and the corresponding energy structure will shift from coal-based to electricity-based; (2) at the provincial level, all three provinces will experience an increase in industrial energy demand between 2020 and 2035, with Hebei experiencing the fastest average annual growth rate of 2.18% and the largest share of over 80%, and Beijing experiencing the highest average annual electrification rate of 70%; (3) at the industrial sector level, the electricity and natural gas will gradually replace other energy sources as the main energy source for industry. The most representative industrial sub-sector in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei provinces are all traditional high-energy-consuming industries, which will account for more than 90% of the total energy demand in both Tianjin and Hebei by 2035.

POVERTY LINE, POVERTY THRESHOLD, POVERTY FORECASTING, METHODS

In this article, the author focuses on poverty and its consequences. The SBM method was used to calculate the poverty threshold, which helped to determine the upper and lower limits of poverty and forecast the poverty rate for the next three years. The data set entries included income, education, healthcare, and basic needs from 2020 to 2022. These inputs were used to calculate the poverty threshold. The problem-solving steps included making the dataset dimensionless, finding slacks, calculating variable weights, and then calculating poverty through Y = λ Income * (Norm. Income) + … + λ Basic Needs (Norm. Basic Needs). The poverty lines (Y) were determined to be 0.527, 0.568, and 0.628 from 2020 to 2022, respectively. The next part focused on calculating the poverty limits. The upper limits (UL) were calculated as “Poverty Line + (λ max * Sum of Slacks)” and the lower limits (LL) were calculated as “Poverty Line - (λ min * Sum of Slacks).” The results from 2020 to 2022 were 1.041, 0.087, 1.010, 0.144, and 1.033, 0.300, respectively. The innovation at this stage was to find bandwidth as an indicator of the intensity of poverty. Finally, the last stage focused on forecasting the Poverty threshold. The average annual growth rate (AAGR) was used to calculate the increasing coefficient of the regression line through [(Ending Value / Beginning Value) ^ (1 / Number of Years)] – 1 formula and found to be 0.09 or 9%. By this stage, 0.685, 0.746, and 0.813 were forecasted as the poverty rates for the years 2023-2025. The kind of poverty diagnosed at this stage was progressive.

Study on the Path and Mechanism of Digital Inclusive Finance on Economic Growth

Over the past four decades of reform and opening up, China's economy has achieved a high average annual growth rate of over 9 per cent, becoming the second largest economy in the world. At the same time, China's financial reform and development has been continuously optimized, and the financial industry has maintained rapid development. With the accelerated integration of new-generation digital technology and inclusive finance, the flourishing development of inclusive finance has added strong momentum to the financial services economy. Based on the relevant research literature on inclusive finance at home and abroad and the characteristics of digital finance, we constructed the evaluation index system of cross-country digital inclusive finance level and the evaluation index system of provincial digital inclusive finance level, and evaluated the development level of digital inclusive finance in 31 provinces (municipalities directly under the central government) in China. On this basis, the impact of digital financial inclusion on economic growth is comprehensively analyzed from two perspectives (temporal and spatial dimensions) and two levels (cross-country and provincial levels), and the empirical evidence is analyzed from the temporal dimension by using traditional econometric analysis methods. The increase in the level of digital inclusive finance in a region has a significant contribution to the region's economic growth, and the mediating effects of credit constraints, entrepreneurship, investment and urban-rural income gap between digital inclusive finance and economic growth are proposed and verified through the decomposition of the direct-indirect effects and heterogeneity of the spatial Durbin model. Policy recommendations are proposed through relevant research results to help China's further economic development.

Socio-Economic Development of Tibet in the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001–2005). Part 8

Fourth session of the 9th NPC, held in Beijing from March 5 to 15, 2001, approved the draft of the 10th five-year plan (2001–2005). The plan provided for an annual increase in China's GDP by 7 %. At the same time, the volume of the economy over five years was to increase by 40 % and amount to ¥ 12.5 trillion in 2005. Plan targets were largely met and exceeded. The average annual economic growth rate was 9.5 %, significantly higher than the world average (3.8 %). The volume of GDP in 2005 amounted to ¥ 18.2 billion.The standard of living in Tibet in the years under review was about two times lower than the Chinese average. Therefore, the region was provided with advanced growth rates of 12 % per year. The main event of the five-year plan in Tibet was the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet railway.

Investigating the fast energy-related carbon emissions growth in African countries and its drivers

Efforts to avoid the acceleration of global warming have tended to focus on countries with high CO2 emissions levels and large populations, with a high level of economic development or industrialization. African countries, which often do not conform to such criteria, are more vulnerable to climate change due to their dependence on climate-sensitive industries and their limited infrastructure and technological capacity to cope with its impacts. The long-term economic growth rates projected for Africa's rapid development period will, further, make Africa a potential emission hotspot in the near future. Here, for the first time, we built an energy-related emissions inventory for 19 African countries for 2010–2019, which addresses emissions from 47 economic sectors and 5 energy types, making it the most comprehensive of its kind. The degree of decoupling of economy and emissions, and drivers of CO2 emission changes are also examined. Most African countries experienced rapid growth in CO2 emissions, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5% for fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions and 6.0% for unsustainable biomass-related CO2 emissions. Only two countries, South Africa and Tanzania, have achieved a strong decoupling of economic growth from CO2 emissions. Economic and population are the most important drivers of emissions, while energy intensity has been identified as a key factor in mitigating CO2 emissions, especially for those countries that have reached strong or weak decoupling. The findings from this study provide essential insights that could guide the development of low-carbon policies and strategies in Africa.

Research on Grading and Evolution of International Trade Development Quality of City Clusters Based on Logit-ISM Modeling

Abstract In order to further accelerate the realization of high-quality development of international trade and enhance the discourse power in international trade activities, this paper explores the grading and evolution of the quality of international trade development of city clusters. After analyzing the DEA static model and DEA-Malmquist dynamic evaluation model, combined with the entropy value method, the entropy value-DEA model is constructed to measure the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of international trade development of the city cluster, and the results are comprehensively analyzed. In addition, combined with the Logit-ISM model to analyze the factors affecting the development quality of international trade of city cluster and explore the grading and evolution of the development quality of international trade of city cluster from two perspectives of global statistics and global spatial trend. The results show that the fluctuation of the trade structure score is smaller than the trade scale, with an average growth rate of 0.165, and the trade competitiveness score basically stays in a state of growth except for 2008 and 2009, with an average annual growth rate of 0.972. The urban agglomerations in the eastern region account for a total of 0.38 of the city agglomerations in the city agglomerations synthesis, and the number of prefectural-level cities included is 106, which accounts for a total of 0.52 of the number of prefectural-level cities included in the city agglomerations. The quality of international trade development in city clusters in the eastern and northeastern regions stands out as the most significant. Based on the research in this paper, we advocate for the balanced development of the quality rating and evolution of each city cluster in international trade development.

From pollution to prosperity: Using inverted N-shaped environmental Kuznets curve to predict India’s environmental improvement milestones

The purpose of this study is to establish the nature of the Environmental Kuznets Curve and forecast the out-of-sample turning points of the environmental improvement phase using different Gross Domestic Product per capita growth rates. The study further attempts to understand how much growth is needed to shorten the environmental degradation phase of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. By using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model and its non-linear variant on the ecological footprint data, we show that India has an inverted N-Shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve. Our results show that India is currently in an increasing environmental degradation phase and is likely to enter the environmental improvement phase in the future. The projections based on hypothesised annual average growth rates of 3 percent, 3.5 percent, 4 percent, 4.5 percent, 5 percent, 5.5 percent, 6 percent, and 6.5 percent—show that the current deterioration phase will finish in 2038, 2036, 2034, 2032, 2031, 2030, 2029, and 2028, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that faster growth in Gross Domestic Product per capita shortens the environmental degradation phase and induces the economy to quickly reach the environmental improvement phase.

The price of agave in Mexican states holding Designation of Origin of Tequila status, and its systematic depreciation over the forthcoming decade (2000-2031)

In the last two decades, the price of agave in states holding Designation of Origin of Tequila (DOT) status has been subject to uncertainty. This mixed sequential investigation identifies the variables that affect its value, verifying the cause of the problem. Using Minitab software, Pearson’s correlation analysis is applied to the most important variables and time-series predictive methods are applied to forecast them. The correlation analysis verified that the production of agave is not correlated with its price, in contrast to the production of tequila, its export and the income from its export. Since 2016, the price and production of agave systematically reduced its annual average growth until reaching negative levels in 2021, contrary to the production, export of tequila and its income (the five variables maintain this trend for the next 10 years). It is shown that the problem of the agave price at the end of the last decade is not due to imbalances in its supply, suggesting that the oligopoly of leading companies of the tequila agroindustry in Mexico controls its value.

From establishment to scaling up of an SME in the IT sector: deliberate and emergent strategies as critical essentials for the sustainable business model

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the business strategies that entrepreneurs have formulated to establish the business with the intention of scaling up in the information technology (IT) sector in Chile, given that they have managed to scale up sustainably at an average annual rate of 73.3% and an average annual employee growth rate of 37% for four consecutive years after an establishment period of 25 months. Design/methodology/approach Three methodological steps were used to identify which strategic initiatives are relevant to the establishment of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the path to scaling up. The first part consisted of identifying the literature and defining the research propositions and research questions. The second part was to prepare, collect and analyse the data to conduct the research by applying, transcribing, reviewing and coding the sources of evidence to explore how SMEs are able to develop strategic initiatives for the start-up process. The final stage was to validate the research proposal to identify potential strategic initiatives identified during the multi-case study. Findings As a result of the data analysis and empirical findings, three deliberate strategic initiatives were identified: staying engaged with customers, delivering successful business solutions and articulating social capital. However, in crisis situations, entrepreneurs readjust their strategies based on their management skills and an emergent strategic initiative was identified as securing the financial structure and revolutionising change. While this research was not designed to identify personal attributes, it did highlight the importance of adaptation and learning as a skill to drive the business model for scaling up during the establishment of their business. Research limitations/implications It is clear that the study focused on Chile and cannot be replicated in other regions or sectors due to the characteristics of the sample itself, but it provides empirical evidence that there are cycles prior to scale up that need to be understood. The findings were empirically validated during the establishment phase, but the deliberate and emergent strategic initiatives that consolidated the SME to prepare for its scale-up process are not evident in the theory. Practical implications The IT sector will continue to grow and change after the pandemic, and the global economy will use more digital systems, creating new ways of working with the use of IT. This context will impact on SMEs where strategies, whether deliberate or emergent, will need to be part of the new business models, and therefore, caution should be exercised when using the results of this study. Public and private institutions should educate and guide entrepreneurs for the potential scaling up of their SMEs without having to wait 42 months, according to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2021-2022 (Hill et al., 2022). Scaling up can begin as early as 25 months after establishment, breaking the paradigm of the theory that the SME must be established in a period of 3.5 years. This period cannot be generalised as business opportunities in the IT sector are faster. The research also contributes by reporting that contingency planning is relevant during the establishment phase. Social implications Educational institutions and the public sector have made efforts to change business cultures regarding the importance of strengthening entrepreneurship, but teaching the emergent strategies that often challenge SME creation is not yet widespread in educational formats. This is a challenge not only for institutions but also for entrepreneurs trying to anticipate the constant changes in the global economy. This research provides an opportunity to create more dynamic business models with more conscious risk planning. Originality/value Although the literature has confirmed the findings, this research has provided a pre-scaling picture that links these two important stages on the axis of deliberate and emergent strategies. The findings confirm the importance of correctly embedding five strategic initiatives for the establishment of the SME if it is to continue on its journey towards business scale-up. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence in emerging economies on how entrepreneurs have found the right path to scale-up.

Decomposition Analysis of Regional Electricity Consumption Drivers Considering Carbon Emission Constraints: A Comparison of Guangdong and Yunnan Provinces in China

Electricity consumption is closely linked to economic growth, social development, and carbon emissions. In order to fill the gap of previous studies on the decomposition of electricity consumption drivers that have not adequately considered carbon emission constraint, this study constructs the Kaya extended model of electricity consumption and analyzes the effects of drivers in industrial and residential sectors using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method, and empirically explores the temporal and spatial differences in electricity consumption. Results show that: (1) During 2005–2021, the total final electricity consumption growth in Guangdong was much higher than that in Yunnan, but the average annual growth rate in Guangdong was lower, and the largest growth in both provinces was in the industrial sector. (2) The labor productivity level effect is the primary driver that increases total final electricity consumption (Guangdong: 78.5%, Yunnan: 87.1%), and the industrial carbon emission intensity effect is the primary driver that decreases total final electricity consumption (Guangdong: −75.3%, Yunnan: −72.3%). (3) The year-to-year effect of each driver by subsector is overall positively correlated with the year-to-year change in the corresponding driver, and declining carbon emission intensity is a major factor in reducing electricity consumption. (4) The difference in each effect between Guangdong and Yunnan is mainly determined by a change in the corresponding driver and subsectoral electricity consumption. Policy implications are put forward to promote energy conservation and the realization of the carbon neutrality goal.

THE BASIC PROBLEMS AND COUNTERMEASURES OF MAP INSPECTION

Abstract. Map verification plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of map data, which in turn establishes the foundation for map transparency. In China, the number of approved map inspections has been increasing annually, with a diverse range of map products being applied for inspection. Taking the example of the 'number of maps accepted for inspection' by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, there has been a consistent upward trend in the number of accepted inspections. From 2017 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of accepted inspections exceeds 18.85%. Not only are new types, uses, and formats of map products emerging, but there is also an increase in the utilization of electronic global maps. However, challenges such as the inefficient information transfer during the inspection application process and the limited automation of technical inspections persist. Furthermore, issues related to the variability of inspection results based on individual experiences need to be addressed. To tackle these problems, this paper proposes a comprehensive technical framework for map verification based on the principles of "data sharing, business collaboration, and intelligent assistance". The objective is to establish a map verification service mechanism that promotes cross-departmental coordination and intelligent cooperation. Implementing this framework will facilitate the smooth operation of national map verification services and expedite the sharing and openness of geospatial data.

OVERVIEW OF THE PET FOOD MARKET IN UKRAINE

The article defines the peculiarities of the development of the world pet food market. The current state of the pet food market in Ukraine and the world is analyzed, the main market participants and their advantages are highlighted. The results of a sociological survey of Ukrainians on the question of which pets they keep are presented. It was found that 79% of respondents keep cats as pets, and 61% - dogs. The characteristics of the 5 leaders according to the "Top 101 manufacturers of pet food" according to the results of 2020-2021 are given. Mars, Nestle, Ralston Purina, H. J. Heinz, Hill's, etc. are the largest suppliers of compound feed for pets on the world and Ukrainian markets. Data on the dynamics of the global feed market and growth rates based on the results of 2020-2023 are presented. Experts predict that the growth of the compound feed market for pets is facilitated by the stable economic growth predicted in many developed and developing countries, by 2027 the volume will already reach $534.36 billion with an average annual growth of 7.6%. Among the domestic producers of pet food, the main producer is the company "Kormotekh", which produces both dry and wet compound feed for pets. The main advantages and disadvantages of wet compound feed for pets are given. Analyzed changes in the cost of the main fodder and additives for the production of compound feed for pets for the years 2020-2023, as well as the average prices for wet compound feed for pets depending on the class as of 2023, which are within the range of UAH 124...470/kg. The main factors affecting the formation of a solid base for the production of fodder for animals of domestic origin are highlighted. The trends were analyzed and the main directions of further development were determined. It was determined that the existence of many unanswered questions creates an objective necessity for the study of the domestic pet food market and the formation of demand for it. It has been established that the development of a proposal for the formation of a market portfolio of domestic producers of pet food will contribute not only to improving the level of competitiveness of existing enterprises in the industry, but also to the emergence of new domestic enterprises.

Urban resilience assessment and its spatial correlation from the multidimensional perspective: A case study of four provinces in North-South Seismic Belt, China

Modern cities are facing increasingly complex challenges, and assessing urban resilience is crucial to improve their ability to withstand various types of shocks and disasters, especially in the China's North-South Seismic Belt with frequent tectonic activities and natural disasters. To address this issue, this study determined the weights of the assessment system based on the entropy weight method, and evaluated the urban resilience of four provinces in China's North-South Seismic Belt in multiple dimensions from the perspectives of society, economy, infrastructure, and ecology. Furthermore, we systematically explored the spatiotemporal trends of urban resilience and its spatial correlation from 2011 to 2021. Lastly, the assessment results were validated and analyzed by four historical earthquake cases using national polar-orbiting partnership - visible infrared imaging radiometer suite (NPP-VIIRS) nighttime light data. The findings reveal that the average urban resilience index increased from 0.027 to 0.058 from 2011 to 2021, signifying a remarkable surge of 115.42%. Sichuan emerged as a consistent frontrunner in terms of urban resilience. Overall, the study area shows a spatial distribution pattern of higher urban resilience in the east and lower resilience in the west, due to the larger population and more developed economy in the east. However, the south has a higher average annual growth rate, while the north has a lower average annual growth rate. A notable observation is the gradual reduction in the coefficient of variation of urban resilience from 0.823 in 2011 to 0.751 in 2021, indicating a decline in the disparity of resilience levels. Meanwhile, Moran's I gradually increased from 0.2017 in 2011 to 0.4476 in 2021, signifying a progressive intensification in the spatial correlation of urban resilience and an evident propensity toward aggregation. By selecting shifts in the total nighttime light index (TNLI) during representative earthquake incidents as an indirect gauge of urban resilience levels, this study finds congruence with the assessment outcomes, thereby further substantiating the precision of the urban resilience evaluations. Policymakers should prioritize the allocation of resources to less resilient cities to improve their ability to withstand and recover from disaster events. The urban resilience assessment system in this study, despite its multidimensionality, may still not be able to fully cover all the factors affecting urban resilience. This study provides a significant decision-making basis for policymakers in urban development and disaster response, as well as a useful reference for building a more robust and sustainable urban future.

Trends of Medicare reimbursement rates for gender affirmation procedures.

While nearly 1 in 5 Americans receives health insurance coverage through Medicare, literature suggests that Medicare reimbursement is lagging behind inflation for many plastic surgery procedures. This article evaluates trends in Medicare reimbursement for gender affirmation procedures. The most common gender affirmation procedures performed at an urban academic medical center were identified in this cross-sectional study (level 4 evidence). Five nongender surgery codes were evaluated for reference. A standardized formula utilizing relative value units (RVUs) was used to calculate monetary data. Differences in reimbursement between 2014 and 2021 were calculated for each procedure. The main outcome was inflation-adjusted difference of charges from 2014 to 2021. Between 2014 and 2021, Medicare reimbursement for gender affirmation procedures had an inflation-unadjusted average change of -0.09% (vs +5.63% for the selected nongender codes) and an inflation-adjusted change of -10.03% (vs -5.54% for the selected nongender codes). Trends in reimbursement varied by category of gender-affirming procedure. The overall average compound annual growth rate had a change of -0.99% (vs -0.53% for the selected nongender codes). The average changes in work, facility, and malpractice RVUs were -1.05%, +9.52%, and -0.93%, respectively. Gender surgeons and patients should be aware that the decrease in reimbursement may affect access to gender-affirming care. Our study is one of the first evaluating the reimbursement rates associated with the full spectrum of gender affirmation surgery. However, our study is limited by its cross-sectional nature. From 2014 to 2021, Medicare reimbursement for gender affirmation procedures lagged inflation.

Analysis of adult vaccination in Shandong Province from 2018 to 2022

Objective: To analyze the utilization of adult vaccination among people aged 18 and above in Shandong Province from 2018 to 2022. Methods: Data on vaccination units in 2022 and individual cases of vaccination information for people aged 18 and above were extracted from the Shandong Immunization Information System. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the distribution of adult vaccination units and adult vaccination varieties. The total vaccination amount and vaccination rate were calculated. Results: By the end of 2022, there were 3 948 vaccination units providing adult vaccination in Shandong Province, with 0.36 adult vaccination clinics per 10 000 people. Adult vaccination including RabV(rabies vaccine for human use), InfV(influenza vaccine), HPV(human papillomavirus), HepB(hepatitis B vaccine), PPV23(23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), MenACYW135(meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine group ACYW135), MMR(measles, mumps and rubella combined attenuated live vaccine), HEV(hepatitise E vaccine), RZV(recombinant zoster vaccine), TV(tetanus vaccine) and HF(haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome vaccine) vaccines were administered, with a cumulative dose of 40.056 9 million and an average of 0.1 doses per person per year from 2018 to 2022. The top three vaccines were RabV, InfV and HPV, accounting for 31.48%, 22.57%, and 15.93% of the total vaccination amount, respectively. The annual vaccination dose for adults increased from 3.477 3 million in 2018 to 13.308 6 million in 2022, with an average annual growth rate of 56.55%. The cumulative 5-year doses of RabV and TV were 15.90 doses per 100 people and 0.21 doses per 100 people. The average annual vaccination rate of InfV was 2.28%. The cumulative full vaccination rates of HPV, HepB, PPV23 and RZV were 12.44%, 1.61%, 0.52% and 0.17%, respectively. The cumulative 5-year doses of RabV and TV were 29.19 doses per 100 people and 0.43 doses per 100 people in the age group of 20 to<30 years old. The vaccination rates of InfV and PPV23 were 9.08% and 1.27% in the age group of 70 to<80 years old. The vaccination rate of RZV was 0.11% in the age group of 50 to<60 years old. The HPV vaccination rate was 18.09% in the age group of 20 to<30 years old, and the HepB, MenACYW135, MMR and HEV vaccination rates were 6.21%, 9.55%, 2.65%, and 2.83% in the 18-19 age group, respectively. Conclusion: There are relatively few types of adult vaccination in Shandong Province, with narrow coverage and low vaccination rates.

University–industry linkages and agendas for future studies: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

PurposeThis study aims to theoretically and experimentally investigate the literature on university–industry linkages (UILs) through a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Seven research questions were addressed in the present study: (1) descriptive characteristics of the literature on UIL, (2) trends of annual scientific publications on UIL, (3) the most relevant and high-impact sources on UIL, (4) the most globally cited articles on UIL, (5) the most relevant countries on UIL, (6) outcomes of Bradford's Law of Scattering and Lotka's Law of scientific productivity and (7) the trending research areas and avenues for future studies on UIL.Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis mapping techniques were applied to the present study to analyze 907 articles extracted from the Scopus database. Analysis tools used were Biblioshiny software and VOSviewer software.Findings Findings show that the UIL is a progressively growing discipline with a record of a 5.71% average annual growth rate in scientific production each year from 1970 to 2023. The United States, China and the United Kingdom were the most productive countries in the field of UIL in terms of total scientific production and citations. Academic entrepreneurship, industrial ecology, social network analysis, active learning, engineering education, health economics, public health, university–industry relationships, communication, causal layered analysis and competitiveness are the potential avenues for future researchers in the field of UIL based on the thematic map of keywords analysis.Originality/value This study contributes to the debate on UIL by offering a comprehensive literature review. The findings of the current study will benefit graduates, universities, industries and the community at large.

From Takeoff to Touchdown: A Decade’s Review of Carbon Emissions from Civil Aviation in China’s Expanding Megacities

The rapid growth of urbanization in China has led to a substantial escalation in the demand for civil aviation services, consequently propelling China to the third-largest contributor of carbon emissions within the aviation sector. Using the 2012–2021 data on takeoffs and landings of civil aviation aircraft in China, the aircraft engine emission factor database of the Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) from EUROCONTROL, this paper investigates the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of atmospheric pollutants, primarily carbon emissions from Chinese civil aviation aircraft in 19 megacities. The results indicate that (1) China’s aviation CO2 emissions equivalent between 2012 and 2022 has been on an upward trajectory, peaking at 186.53 MT in 2019 with an average annual growth of 12.52%. The trend, albeit momentarily interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, appears to persist. (2) CO2 constitutes the highest proportion of aircraft emissions at 83.87%, with Cruise Climb Descent (CCD) cycle emissions accounting for 96.24%. CO2 and NOX, with the highest increase rates in the CCD and Landing and Takeoff (LTO) phases, respectively, are identified as the chief culprits in aviation-related greenhouse effects. (3) There is a marked spatial imbalance, with 19 megacities contributing 62.08% of total CO2 emissions, compared to the 207 least-emitting cities contributing just 9.29%. (4) The pattern of city carbon emissions is changing, with rapid growth rates in the western cities of Xinjiang, Tibet, Shaanxi, and Guizhou, and varied growth rates among megacities. The implications of this study emphasize the urgency for advancements in aviation fuel technology, rigorous management of CCD phase pollutants, strategic carbon emission controls in populous cities, fostering green aviation initiatives in western regions, diverse carbon mitigation tactics, and strengthening the precision and surveillance of aviation carbon accounting systems. Collectively, this study paints a grand picture of the complexities and challenges associated with China’s urban sprawl and aviation carbon emissions.