Central Region Research Articles

Attitudes and Perspectives of Service Providers on Persons Who Use Stimulants in Northern and Central Mexico.

Methamphetamine and other stimulant use are increasing across Mexico while treatment options and public funding remain scarce for substance use treatment. This study examined the attitudes and perspectives of service providers who work with persons who use stimulants in Mexico. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 service providers in diverse cities in the northern and central regions of Mexico, from healthcare centers and harm reduction community-based organizations (CBOs). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. We conducted a thematic analysis to identify and compare common themes and patterns among participants, including portrayal of persons who use stimulants, dynamics of use, attitudes toward persons who use stimulants, and treatment availability and effectiveness. First, service providers considered that persons who use stimulants have more complex backgrounds than others who use other substances. Second, although most providers mentioned trauma, pain, and the risk environment, CBO providers also stressed the importance of accounting for hedonism for understanding stimulant use trajectories. Third, treatment options are based on the type of services the institutions provide, usually constrained to guidelines for any substance use. In a few cases, cocaine treatment guidelines are used regardless of the type of stimulant used. Fourth, although health care services are abstinence-based, providers acknowledge the effectiveness of harm reduction approaches. In contrast, CBOs provide person-centered options. Overall, although service providers are aware of the increase in stimulant use, stigmatizing attitudes are prominent among some of them. However, providers in CBOs were more sensitized to their communities' specific needs. Public policy recommendations include training to eliminate institutional stigmatization, the importance of first-person language, harm reduction effectiveness, and implementing community-based interventions to improve stimulant use-related services.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ РОСТА, РАЗВИТИЯ И ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ГИБРИДОВ ПОДСОЛНЕЧНИКА В СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОЙ ЧАСТИ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОГО ЧЕРНОЗЕМНОГО РЕГИОНА

The purpose of research is to identify and recommend to production the best high-yielding new generation sunflower hybrids suitable for cultivation in the northwestern part of the Central Chernozem Region. Three sunflower hybrids were taken for research: NK Brio, Sumiko and Kubansky 930. It was found that in the northwestern part of the Central Chernozem Region the most promising hybrid is NK Brio, which provided high yield – 3.28 t/ha, an increase compared to hybrid Kubansky 930 1.03 t/ha and Sumiko – 0.53 t/ha. Hybrid NK Brio belongs to the mid-season group with a growing season of 112 days. Hybrids Kubansky 930 and Sumiko belong to the mid-early ripeness group with a growing season of 106 and 101 days, respectively. It was found that the hybrids Kubansky 930, Sumiko and NK Brio, in terms of the length of the growing season, correspond to the requirements of the typical forest-steppe of the northwestern part of the Central Chernozem Region, where the frost-free period is 140–145 days. It was revealed that oil productivity mainly depended on the yield of the hybrid. In the northwestern part of the Central Chernozem Region, the highest oil productivity was when cultivating the hybrid NK Brio – 1506.9 kg/ha. Hybrid Kubansky 930 in this indicator was inferior to NK Brio 412.6 kg/ha and Sumiko – 179.3 kg/ha.

Postnatal experiences of teenage mothers in selected communities in Central Region, Ghana: a phenomenological study

BackgroundTeenage childbirth is an issue of social and public health concern in Ghana, with high prevalence in some regions, including the Central Region. There is a dire need to understand the experiences of teenagers beyond pregnancies to facilitate comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and service provision. We explored the postnatal experiences of teenage mothers in five communities in the Central Region of Ghana.MethodsWe adopted a descriptive phenomenological design. Using in-depth interview guides and pictorial diaries/guides, 30 teenage mothers who had given birth less than two years before our study, were recruited. Data were analysed thematically using a systematic qualitative-oriented text analysis with QSR NVivo 12 Pro software.ResultsTeenage mothers experienced pregnancy and childbirth related complications such as postpartum haemorrhage, preterm births, and low birth weight of their babies. Socio-cultural, psychological, and economic-related experiences were also observed. Teenage mothers were inexperienced and lacked financial support after childbirth. They often depended on the microsystem consisting of the family, friends, and the children’s fathers as major source of support to enable them and their babies to survive, develop, and become healthy and happy in life.ConclusionsTeenage mothers are confronted with challenges that require the assistance of actors within the microsystem to address. We recommend that stakeholders including healthcare professionals, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and parents be sensitive to the postnatal challenges faced by teenage mothers so that they can work at providing the necessary skills and support to enable them to cope better with motherhood.

Electrical impedance tomography confirmed the impact of the method of delivery of term neonates on early lung aeration.

The number of infants born via cesarean section (CS) is increasing globally due to medical and cultural reasons. This study aimed to determine the effect of the mode of delivery on early lung aeration in newborns using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The case-control study was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021. It included 32 term neonates delivered by CS and 20 term neonates delivered by normal vaginal delivery (NVD) as controls. Electrical impedance tomography examinations were performed with a Swisstom BB2 device with NEO SensorBelt and 32 integrated electrodes at 47.68 Hz. Three data recordings were conducted within 30, 60 and 90 min (mean times: 13, 62 and 93 min, respectively) after the birth. Cesarean section neonates, compared to those delivered by NVD, had greater non-aerated areas in gravity-dependent lung regions at the 2nd recording (p = 0.04). The CS group showed lower changes in lung stretch at the 2nd and 3rd recording compared to the NVD group (p = 0.022 and p = 0.032, respectively). In the study group, lung regions with the lowest stretch (10-20%, 20-30% and 30-40%) corresponded with increased total lung capacities 1 h after birth compared to the control group (p = 0.024, p = 0.004 and p = 0.044, respectively). Measurements from the 1st and 3rd EIT recording showed a greater distribution of tidal volume (TV) in the right lung toward the central regions among CS neonates compared to NVD neonates, whereas NVD neonates showed increased distribution of TV toward the central-ventral regions of the right lung immediately after birth. The mode of delivery significantly affects early postnatal lung aeration in term neonates assessed using EIT. Caesarean section neonates were characterized by poorer aeration in gravity-dependent lung regions, whereas NVD neonates demonstrated greater changes in lung stretch and more intense tissue expansion, potentially leading to better postnatal adaptation.

The use of 13C,14C and 18O of dental enamel to estimate the year of birth and geographic origin from Mexican individuals

Abstract In recent times, forensic science has increasingly relied on methods that use stable and radioactive isotope analysis to identify human remains. The use of 14C-AMS dating of dental enamel and dentine of an individual allows the estimation of the year of birth, while that of stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen can provide information on their geographical origin. Isotopic analysis of a tissue complements existing identification techniques, enhancing the capacity to refine, exclude, and affirm investigative approaches directed towards individual identification. The primary aim of this exploratory study is to amalgamate diverse isotopic methodologies conducive to the prompt and accurate identification of a deceased individual. In this manuscript, we elucidate the application of a rapid processing technique for whole molars from individuals with documented ages, employed to ascertain age through 14C-AMS dating. Furthermore, an investigation was undertaken to assess the capacity of carbon and oxygen-stable isotopes in distinguishing regional disparities. To achieve this, we conducted a comparative analysis of tooth samples sourced from individuals residing in three cities within the Mexican Republic: Mexico City in the central region, Oaxaca City in the southern region, and Tepic Nayarit on the western Pacific coast. The age of dental piece formation, as estimated through 14C-AMS, exhibited a precise correlation with the actual age. By means of the stable isotope outcomes, the data disclosed substantial disparities in 13C and 18O abundances among teeth from individuals residing in the three cities.

Measurement and spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of dietary diversity among Chinese residents

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure the dietary diversity and to analyze the regional characteristics, differences, and evolutionary trends of dietary diversity among Chinese residents.MethodsIn this paper, the dietary diversity among Chinese residents was measured using the Shannon index based on the provincial-level food consumption data from 1995 to 2021. On this basis, the paper employs analysis methods such as kernel density estimation, spatial correlation test, and Dagum’s Gini coefficient to analyze the regional characteristics, differences, and trends of change in dietary diversity.ResultsDuring the study period, the dietary diversity among Chinese residents showed an increasing trend. Among the four major geographic regions, the dietary diversity was highest in the southern region, followed by the northern region, northwest region, and Qinghai-Tibet region. Among the three major economic regions, the dietary diversity was highest in the eastern region, followed by the central region and western region. There was a significant positive spatial correlation in the dietary diversity among Chinese residents, and both high-high agglomeration and low-low agglomeration phenomena were strengthened. In terms of the trend of regional differences, whether overall differences, interregional differences, or intraregional differences, they all showed a shrinking trend. However, interregional differences were the main source of overall differences in dietary diversity among Chinese residents.ConclusionThe dietary diversity among Chinese residents shows an overall increasing trend, and there are regional differences in dietary diversity from the perspectives of economic and geographic regions, which have been narrowing over time.

Evaluating the differences in healthy lifestyle behaviors between Chinese urban and rural residency after the termination of social distancing: analysis based on propensity score matching

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the social distancing has significantly affected the healthy lifestyle behaviors of residents. China ended social distancing on January 8, 2023, and the healthy lifestyle behaviors of residents after this time are unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the differences in healthy lifestyle behaviors between Chinese urban and rural residency after the termination of social distancing.MethodsFrom February 1, 2023, to February 8, 2023, a cross-sectional survey which include participants (≥ 18 years old) was carried out in four regions of mainland China (Changzhou in the eastern region, Zhengzhou in the central region, Xining in the western region, and Mudanjiang in the northeastern region). A healthy lifestyle behaviors scale containing 11 items was designed to calculate the healthy lifestyle behaviors scores among urban and rural residents. The healthy lifestyle behaviors scores ranged from 11 to 51. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of healthy lifestyle behaviors scores among urban and rural residents. Propensity Score Matching was used to assess the net differences in healthy lifestyle behaviors scores between urban and rural residents.ResultsA total of 5780 residents (53.04% females) were included in the study, including 3302(57.13%) urban residents. The average healthy lifestyle behavior score was 38.33(95%CI: 38.18 to 38.49). Healthy lifestyle behaviors score among males was lower than that among females in both urban (β = -1.98, 95%CI: -3.05 to -2.10) and rural residents (β = -2.57, 95%CI: -2.37 to -1.60). Higher education was associated with higher healthy lifestyle behaviors scores in both urban and rural residents. PSM analysis indicated that urban residents still had higher healthy lifestyle behaviors scores (38.72, 95% CI: 38.46 to 38.99) than rural residents (37.85, 95%CI: 37.57 to 38.13), with a net difference of 0.87 points.ConclusionsAfter the termination of social distancing, the overall healthy lifestyle behaviors of Chinese residents were found to be at a medium level. Urban residents have a better healthy lifestyle behavior compared to their rural counterparts. It is essential to prioritize efforts towards enhancing the healthy lifestyle behaviors of rural residents.

Significant room for improvement in the prehospital assessment and treatment of acute abdominal pain: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundAcute abdominal pain (AAP) is a common reason for calling emergency medical services (EMS). Despite the widely acknowledged importance of effective prehospital pain management, described by patients as crucial regardless of any other factor, studies on prehospital pain management in AAP patients are limited and suggest room for improvement. This is particularly relevant given the long-standing controversy surrounding the use of analgesia in AAP patients before a final diagnosis is made, which may still influence the prehospital pain management.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of pain management in EMS patients with AAP in a central Swedish region. The region had a population density of 15.7 inhabitants per square kilometer spread over a mix of small urban and rural settings. Patient records were manually reviewed and scanned for written assessments or numeric ratings of pain. The analysis focused on proportions of assessment, treatment and reassessment of pain as well as median pain intensity, pain reduction and proportion of patients with a low last recording of pain.Results816 patients were included. Pain was assessed in 55% (n = 447) of all cases. The median initial pain intensity was eight units (IQR 6.0–9.0) on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and 90% (n = 403) of the assessed patients experienced moderate or severe pain. Of those, 62% (n = 249) received pharmacological treatment. In 50% (n = 158) of all cases receiving treatment, pain was reassessed afterwards. The median pain reduction was four units (IQR 2.0–5.0) on the NRS scale. Among all cases, 10% (n = 84) had a last recorded pain assessment indicating low pain.ConclusionsSignificant room for improvement in the prehospital management of acute abdominal pain was found. The proportions of pain assessment, treatment and reassessment were low with nine out of ten patients leaving prehospital care with unknown, moderate or severe pain. Among the cases where pain assessment, treatment and reassessment were made and recorded, four out of five patients experienced significant pain relief, indicating the potential of better prehospital pain management.

Spatial association of socioeconomic and health service factors with antibiotic self-medication in Thailand.

Antibiotic Self-Medication (ASM) is a major contributing factor to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) that can lead to both mortality and long-term hospitalizations. High provincial ASM proportions associated with mortality due to AMR have been observed in Thailand but there is a lack of studies on geographic factors contributing to ASM. The present study aimed to quantify the distribution of ASM in Thailand and its correlated factors. Socioeconomic and health services factors were included in the spatial analysis. Moran's I was performed to identify global autocorrelation with the significance level set at p=0.05 and spatial regression were applied to identify the factors associated with ASM, the proportion of which is predominant in the north-eastern, central and eastern regions with Phitsanulok Province reporting the highest proportion of Thailand's 77 provinces. Autocorrelation between Night-Time Light (NTL) and the proportion of ASM was observed to be statistically significant at p=0.030. The Spatial Lag Model (SLM) and the Spatial Error Model (SEM) were used with the latter providing both the lowest R2 and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). It was demonstrated that the proportion of alcohol consumption significantly increased the proportion of ASM. The annual number of outpatient department visits and the average NTL decreased the proportion of ASM by 1.5% and 0.4%, respectively. Average monthly household expenditures also decreased the ASM proportion. Policies to control alcohol consumption while promoting healthcare visits are essential strategies to mitigate the burden of AMR in Thailand.

A Spiral Coverage Path Planning Algorithm for Nonomnidirectional Robots

ABSTRACTThe limited steering capabilities of nonomnidirectional robots introduce significant complexity into complete coverage tasks, often leading to increased path overlap or incomplete coverage of certain areas. Although recent research has made progress in optimizing coverage path planning, redundant coverage or omissions are still prone to occur in the target area to be covered. To address these persistent challenges, we propose a novel spiral coverage method. This approach not only conforms to the kinematic constraints of nonomnidirectional robots but also enhances coverage efficiency by dividing the target area into center and boundary regions and devising tailored coverage strategies for each. This method effectively reduces path redundancy and improves overall area coverage. Furthermore, we introduce a comprehensive metric that combines total path length and area coverage ratio to evaluate coverage efficiency, overcoming the limitations and computational complexity associated with existing metrics. For scenarios where maximizing the area coverage ratio is critical, we have developed a high‐coverage‐rate turning strategy that ensures 100% coverage. Through simulation tests in six representative areas and actual experiments on airport runways, our method shows an improvement of 0.238%–14.538% in coverage efficiency compared with parallel coverage method and 60.548%–76.339% compared with deep reinforcement learning‐based method. Additionally, implementing high‐coverage‐rate turning strategies improves the area coverage ratio by 2.021%–6.732%. In field experiments, our method reduces execution time by 1.61% compared with parallel coverage method. These results show that our method has a significant effect in improving coverage efficiency and achieving complete coverage goals.

Genetic Services in Appalachia Conference Series.

This study examined the data generated as part of a seven-session webinar series that focused on genetics care provision in the medically underserved, rural Appalachian region and examined how these services have adapted to challenging practice environments. Barriers and facilitators to care in our region were considered. Data included a baseline survey of registrants, transcripts of sessions, and feedback about sessions. We analyzed data with a sequential and concurrent mixed methods approach. Registrants (n = 137) were disproportionately healthcare providers with genetic services expertise (37.2%). Approximately half (43.8%) of registrants were from KY, WV, and TN in the central Appalachian region. Our baseline survey found that the most noted barriers were the cost of services, lack of providers, and access to care. The most common facilitator was telehealth. Analysis of transcripts identified barriers that were consistent with those noted in the baseline survey, but additional support and network opportunities were discussed to allow for learning across services. Numerous barriers to service delivery were noted; however, despite challenges, participants identified opportunities and resources in the community. These insights will inform a research agenda aimed at advancing genetics services in rural Appalachia, addressing challenges, and leveraging assets for improved healthcare access and outcomes.

Assessment of the Genetic Diversity of the Traditional Tree Species Kigelia africana (Sausage Tree) Using Molecular Markers for Conservation Genomics in Kenya

This study is the first to explore the genetic composition of ancient Kigelia africana across a distribution range in Kenya. Kigelia africana is a native forest species of Kenya as far as we know it; it is widely planted in the central regions of the country by the Kikuyu tribe who inhabit this region for making their traditional brew Muratina. Unlike other tree species like Acacia, Kigelia africana has seldom been studied, although there is ample evidence of its great ecological and economic value. Because of cultural reasons, natural populations are rare in the wild. Hence the study seeks to explore the genetic diversity and composition of ancient the tree distributed across various regions in Kenya. In this study, four ancient tree populations were investigated to explore the genetic diversity and composition of Kigelia africana through DArTseq technology. Thirty-two (32) Plant seed samples were obtained from various locations, their DNA extracted, libraries prepared, and sequenced using the Illumina 2500 high throughput sequencer. A total of 8,556 SilicoDArT and 3,703 SNP markers were selected and used. The average PIC was 0.45 and 0.41 for the SilicoDArT and SNPs respectively. The population structure and average linkage hierarchical clustering based on the SNPs revealed two distinct subpopulations and a few smaller admixture groups. Both marker types identified all 32 landraces as potential duplicates with very low genetic diversity between individuals. The heterozygosity defining the genetic variation within each subpopulation was around 0.25. A mantel test showed good harmony between DArTseq and SNP marker data sets. It also showed no significant correlation between genetic diversity and the geographical coordinates of the tree samples. The results of this study provide important information and insights for decision-makers, farmers, and breeders to make the necessary actions to conserve this culturally important tree.

Developing Strategies for Carbon Neutrality Through Restoration of Ecological Spatial Networks in the Thal Desert, Punjab

Carbon neutrality is an important goal for addressing global warming. It can be achieved by increasing carbon storage and reducing carbon emissions. Vegetation plays a key role in storing carbon, but it is often lost or damaged, especially in areas affected by desertification. Therefore, restoring vegetation in these areas is crucial. Using advanced techniques to improve ecosystem structure can support ecological processes, and enhance soil and environmental conditions, encourage vegetation growth, and boost carbon storage effectively. This study focuses on optimizing Ecological Spatial Networks (ESNs) for revitalization and regional development, employing advanced techniques such as the MCR model for corridor construction, spatial analysis, and Gephi for mapping topological attributes. Various ecological and topological metrics were used to evaluate network performance, while the EFCT model was applied to optimize the ESN and maximize carbon sinks. In the Thal Desert, ecological source patches (ESPs) were divided into four modularity levels (15.6% to 49.54%) and five communities. The northeastern and southwestern regions showed higher ecological functionality but lower connectivity, while the central region exhibited the reverse. To enhance the ESN structure, 27 patches and 51 corridors were added to 76 existing patches, including 56 forest and 20 water/wetland patches, using the EFCT model. The optimized ESN resulted in a 14.97% improvement in carbon sink capacity compared to the unoptimized structure, primarily due to better functioning of forest and wetland areas. Enhanced connectivity between components contributed to a more resilient and stable ESN, supporting both ecological sustainability and carbon sequestration.

Groundwater Quality in The Region That Hosted the Largest Open Dump in Latin America: Ten Years of Analysis

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the quality of groundwater in the Estrutural Administrative Region, located in the Central region of the Federal District, Brazil, before and after the closure of the largest open-air landfill in Latin America. Theoretical Framework: Brazilian legislation, Ordinance 888 of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and CONAMA resolution 396 are highlighted for comparison with the findings of the study, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes the analysis of groundwater monitoring data carried out by the Regulatory Agency for Water, Energy and Basic Sanitation of the Federal District (ADASA), carried out in two wells: shallow and deep, with 30 and 70 meters of depth, respectively, located 140 meters from the former landfill. Of the 33 parameters collected by ADASA between 2013 and 2022, 21 were analyzed. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that there is evidence of groundwater contamination, especially in the monitoring of shallow wells. Public policies should be implemented to protect this vulnerable population. Regarding the limitations of the study, we can mention the use of secondary data and the performance of a non-parametric test. Inadequacies in monitoring, such as the lack of standardization in the evaluation of parameters and the absence of periodic data on important parameters, such as microbiological parameters, limit the study and prevent more robust statistical analyses. Research Implications: The results of this research can help in the formulation or improvement of public policies for territorial management and urban solid waste management, mainly related to the evaluation of the quality of groundwater near landfills and dumps and the conditions of access to drinking water by vulnerable populations in their surroundings. Originality/Value: The study proposes a practical approach to assess the quality of groundwater in a region impacted by a landfill, based on comprehensive monitoring in the following aspects: spatial (use of a pair of shallow and deep wells); temporal (10-year series of data); qualitative (analysis of more than 20 parameters); and social (assessment of potential impacts on vulnerable populations that use groundwater for consumption). The results highlight the need for integrated action between land use and occupation management policies (in relation to vulnerable populations and occupations in risk areas); basic sanitation (mainly regarding the management of urban solid waste and the supply of drinking water); and public health (with regard to the quality of water available for human consumption).

Transport properties of h-BN lateral devices

One of the well-established and significant applications of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is in solid-state neutron detectors, which necessitate the development of quasi-bulk h-BN crystals. To advance the material and device development of h-BN, it is essential to characterize its bulk electrical transport properties. However, this task is challenging due to h-BN's ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) of approximately 6.1 eV, which results in an extremely high electrical resistivity, typically exceeding 1012 Ω⋅cm. On the other hand, the mobility-lifetime (μτ) product, a key figure of merit for determining the overall device performance, is more readily accessible through the characterization of the I-V characteristics under illumination. In this study, we investigate the in-plane μτ products of lateral devices fabricated from freestanding quasi-bulk h-BN wafers synthesized by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. Our results reveal an unexpected decrease in the in-plane μτ product as the device width decreases. Utilizing a simple two-region carrier transport model, where the central region of the device represents the bulk h-BN material free from metal contacts and the two edge regions are influenced by metal contacts, we demonstrate that the μτ product in the edge areas covered by metal contacts decreases by nearly two orders of magnitude compared to the bulk value. We attribute this significant reduction in μτ product to the layered crystalline structure of h-BN, which permits metal atoms to infiltrate into the interlayer spacings. As a result, the measured μτ product is significantly lower than the true bulk value. These findings provide valuable insights into the design and fabrication of high-performance h-BN devices, which typically leverage its exceptional in-plane transport properties.

Measuring and Analysing the Impact Factors of China's Tourism Economic Resilience in the Context of a Major Shock

ABSTRACTMeasuring and exploring the tourism economic resilience and the impact of tourism shocks allows the depiction of patterns that may assist in the prediction of economic trends. The study utilises official statistics from data such as the China Statistical Yearbook from 31 Chinese provinces between 2020 and 2022. Results suggest that tourism economic resilience is generally low, and demonstrates a polarised phenomenon, with a pyramid structure showing a gradual increase in the number of provinces with high to low tourism economic resilience. From a geographical perspective, tourism economic resilience tends to exhibit a decreasing trend from east to west, with the ‘low resilience effect in the central region’ moving towards the western regions. Insufficient investment in tourism spending power and marketing were obstacles for tourism economic resilience within the obstacle model. A fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis method derived four types of paths affecting tourism economic resilience: ‘infrastructure‐guaranteed’, ‘talent‐employment‐encouraging’, ‘innovation‐driven development’ and ‘market‐opening and interactive’. This study expands the application of niche theory in the field of socio‐economic resilience and constructs a new theoretical framework of resilience stratification, barrier model and path analysis. The research results provide important references for the government to optimise tourism economic policies, enterprises to improve market adaptability and regional coordinated development.

Enhancing Rural Economic Sustainability in China Through Agricultural Socialization Services: A Novel Perspective on Spatial-Temporal Dynamics

Rural economic development faces significant challenges in the context of rapid urbanization and agricultural transformation, particularly in developing countries like China. Agricultural socialization services (ASSs) play a crucial role in promoting rural economic sustainability by enhancing household income and fostering regional development. This study investigates the impact of ASSs on rural economic sustainability in China from both temporal and spatial perspectives, employing the entropy weight method, double fixed effects model, and Spatial Durbin Model. Analyzing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2021 reveals significant positive effects of ASSs on rural income, along with spatial spillovers to neighboring regions. The results highlight regional heterogeneity in the impact of ASSs, with the eastern region benefiting from local spillovers, while the central and western regions gain from intensification and scale effects. These findings suggest that policymakers should adopt region-specific ASSs strategies, such as facilitating technology transfer in the eastern regions while leveraging intensification and scale advantages in the central and western regions, to optimize the effectiveness of agricultural support measures. Moreover, the relationship between ASSs and rural income exhibits a non-linear trend across various urbanization stages, implying that ASS policies should be tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities associated with different levels of urbanization to maximize their impact on rural economic sustainability. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing ASSs, tailoring policies to local conditions, and harnessing the role of ASSs in the urbanization process to promote inclusive rural development and foster sustainable rural economic growth.

Research on the Impact of New Quality Productivity on Resident Income Distribution from the Perspective of Macroeconomic Operation

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of new quality productivity on the distribution of residents' income. By constructing an econometric model, this study empirically examines the impact of new quality productivity on the distribution of residents' income and its mechanism of action using panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2022. The results show that new quality productivity can significantly increase the level of income distribution among residents, and this conclusion still holds after considering the endogeneity problem and conducting a series of robustness tests. The mediation effect analysis further reveals that the new quality productivity contributes to the improvement of the income distribution of residents through increasing innovation incentives. Heterogeneity analysis shows that new quality productivity has a stronger effect on the income distribution of residents in the eastern, central and northeastern regions, and a weaker effect on the western region.

Exploring Inequality: A Multi-Scale Analysis of China’s Consumption Carbon Footprint

Carbon emission inequality has become a critical factor constraining the coordinated development of socio-economic systems and the natural environment. This inequality exacerbates the disparity in carbon emissions across regions, hindering efforts to achieve sustainable development and environmental justice. Previous research has primarily focused on the structure of carbon footprints and their influencing factors, but there has been limited quantitative research on carbon emission inequality, particularly from a multi-scale perspective. This study constructs a 250 m-high-resolution consumption-based carbon footprint grid for China and uses the Theil index to reveal significant spatial inequalities in carbon footprints. The results indicate that smaller-scale analyses better reveal the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of carbon footprints within regions. At the county level, carbon footprints exhibit significant inequalities, with hotspots concentrated in regions such as Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta. The top 5% of areas with the highest carbon footprints (139 cities) contributed 19.6% of the national total, indicating a concentration in a few large cities. The decomposition of the Theil index shows that county-level cities contributed 55% of the national carbon inequality. The study also reveals the complex relationship between carbon footprints and income, as well as urban-rural disparities. The underdeveloped central and western regions exhibit a pronounced spatial lag effect, with the growth rate of carbon footprints in rural areas surpassing that of urban areas. Carbon footprints in impoverished areas and inter-provincial marginal areas overlap significantly with low-emission zones, demonstrating characteristics of “low-carbon growth”. To achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, China must adopt comprehensive measures to reduce carbon footprints and their inequalities, including strengthening multi-scale carbon inequality monitoring, implementing differentiated carbon reduction policies, and promoting coordinated emission reduction development at the county level.

Abstract A001: A prospective study of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation using serial hemoglobin measurement in North Central region, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Multiple Studies have suggested that aside from its important role in quality of life (QOL) issues, anemia constitutes an independent prognostic factor of survival, response to treatment, loco-regional control and recurrence in patients with cancer concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy (i.e. Chemoradiation). This treatment modality is for selected cancer types and patients but may be complicated, especially in low and middle income countries where nutritional anemia is already prevalent. Aim: A prospective study of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation using serial hemoglobin measurement. Materials and Method: The study consists of 38 patients with solid cancers who meet inclusion criteria. The baseline hemoglobin (Hb) level was taken and recorded on first day of consultation. Their Hb level was measured every 2 weeks during concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The blood film pictures at pre-treatment and ongoing treatment were examined and analyzed by a team of Ha Hematologists. The whole process was terminated after 3 consecutive Hb measurement or after week 6. Anemia was classified for this study as follows: Less than10g/dl– Severe Anemia 10–10.9g/dl–Moderate Anemia 11–11.9g/dl–Mild Anemia 12–12.9g/dl–No Anemia. Results: 38 out of 72 cancer patients recruited for this study met inclusion criteria. Age range was 25–75 years with median age of 50years. 27/38 (71/1%) of patients were female while 11/38 (28.9%) were male with ratio of 2:1. 61.2% had Pelvic and 38.8% had head and neck regions as cancer sites that received chemoradiation. More than 75% of patients presented with stage III diseases which was evident of advanced stage and a strong indication for chemoradiation. At week 6, 39.6% cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation had mean haemoglobin value of 10-10.9g/dl. At p value >0.05 there was no statistical significance in distribution of mean Hb, standard deviation based on sex for cancer patients on chemoradiation. Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia in 38 cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation was 73.6%. With adequate Hb monitoring during therapy, chemoradiation has no significant effect on Hb level. At 95% confidence interval, the impact of chemoradiation on Hb level during therapy i.e. week 6 was 10.98-11.3g/dl. Despite this result, anemia remains a big challenge to overall quality of life and survival in cancer patients especially in resource constrained environment like Nigeria where nutritional anemia is common and blood transfusion services may be in adequate in certain areas with attendant out of pocket health care cost of blood transfusion. Recommendation: This paves way for more questions and need for further research on our patient population on the relationship between anemia, hypoxia, use of hyperbaric oxygen, radiosensitizers, antihelminthics etc. as anemia remains independent prognostic factor in patients with cancer in our environment. Citation Format: Simeom Chinedu Aruah. A prospective study of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation using serial hemoglobin measurement in North Central region, Nigeria. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Translating Targeted Therapies in Combination with Radiotherapy; 2025 Jan 26-29; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2025;31(2_Suppl):Abstract nr A001.