Determination Of Increase Research Articles

‘Bushfire Season’ in Australia: Determinants of Increases in Risk of Acute Coronary Syndromes and Takotsubo Syndrome

BackgroundClimate change has resulted in an increase in ambient temperatures during the summer months as well as an increase in risk of associated air pollution and of potentially disastrous bushfires throughout much of the world. The increasingly frequent combination of elevated summer temperatures and bushfires may be associated with acute increases in risks of cardiovascular events, but this relationship remains unstudied. We evaluated the individual and cumulative impacts of daily fluctuations in temperature, fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) pollution and presence of bushfires on incidence of acute coronary syndromes and Takotsubo syndrome. MethodsFrom November 1, 2019, to February 28, 2020, all admissions with acute coronary syndromes or Takotsubo syndrome to South Australian tertiary public hospitals were evaluated. Univariate and combined associations were sought among each of 1) maximal daily temperature, 2) PM2.5 concentrations, and 3) presence of active bushfires within 200 km of the hospitals concerned. ResultsA total of 504 patients with acute coronary syndromes and 35 with Takotsubo syndrome were studied. In isolation, increasing temperature was associated (rs = 0.26, P = .005) with increased incidence of acute coronary syndromes, while there were similar, but nonsignificant correlations for PM2.5 and presence of bushfires. Combinations of all these risk factors were also associated with a doubling of risk of acute coronary syndromes. No significant associations were found for Takotsubo syndrome. ConclusionThe combination of high temperatures, presence of bushfires and associated elevation of atmospheric PM2.5 concentrations represents a substantially increased risk for precipitation of acute coronary syndromes; this risk should be factored into health care planning including public education and acute hospital preparedness.

Trends in Vitamin D Status Around the World.

ABSTRACTVitamin D status varies across all continents and countries. Vitamin D status usually is adequate in Latin America and Australia, but in contrast it is very low in the Middle East and some countries in Asia. Trends in vitamin D status, whether it improves or declines over the years, carry important messages. Trends usually are small, but can be predictors and indicators of general health. Vitamin D status has improved in the older population in the United States, and improvement relates to dairy use and vitamin D supplements. To the contrary, vitamin D status has declined in the Inuit population of Canada due to a change from a traditional fish diet to a Western diet. A large improvement was seen in Finland after mandatory fortification of dairy products was introduced. Determinants of decline are less sun exposure, increased use of sunscreen, increase of body mass index (BMI), less physical activity, and poor socioeconomic status. Determinants of increase are food fortification with vitamin D and vitamin D supplements. Food fortification can lead to a population‐wide increase in vitamin D status as shown by the Finnish example. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Goal-striving stress and repeated measures of adiposity in the Jackson heart study.

Psychosocial stressors are determinants of increases in adiposity. Both psychosocial stressors and adiposity are higher among African Americans (AAs). Therefore, clarifying the stress-obesity link in AAs is important. The stress associated with goal striving is particularly relevant to AAs because opportunity for upward mobility is not always equal. Goal-striving stress (GSS) has not been assessed with adiposity, a potential result of GSS. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether GSS would be associated with repeated measures of adiposity [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHR)] in AAs. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationship between GSS with repeated measures of adiposity across three exam periods among 2902 AAs, and sex was assessed as a moderator. Models were adjusted for demographics, health behaviours, morbidities, and daily discrimination. GSS was positively associated with repeated measures of adiposity in women but not men: WC [estimate (standard error) p-value] [0.003 (0.001) p<0.01] and WHR [0.003 (0.0007) p<0.01]. This suggests that high stress due to goal striving may contribute to greater increases in adiposity in AA women over time. Community-based interventions should continue to consider focused support group models as viable options for goal-striving related stress reduction.

English

The study analysed the impact of Rural Enterprise Development Hub (RED Hub) Project on maize yield of beneficiaries. Out of a total of 398 beneficiaries, 200 maize farmers were sampled using the Cochran sample size formula followed by convenience sampling at the second stage. With the use of a 'before' and 'after' approach, a survey was conducted using structured questionnaires which were administered on the beneficiaries of the project in Mquanduli community within the 9 villages of the community. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. It was established that, a P-value of less than 0.05 was statistically significant. The study revealed a significant average annual yield increase of maize farmers who benefitted in the project from 1,003 to 1,891 kg with an increase of 88.53% on hectare basis (t = 100.3 and p <0.05). Also, there was an average increase in annual yield from 1,976 to 4,351 kg which was significant with an increase of 120.19% per maize farm (t = 32.7 and p<0.05 p-value). Determinants of increase in maize productivity were identified using regression analytical technique; They were fertilizer (t = -4.46 and p <0.05), seedling (t = 4.47 and p<0.05) and capital (t = 4.35 and p<0.05). The study recommends sustained subsidy and direct delivery of productive inputs to beneficiary farmers and additional provision to accommodate more maize farmers in Mqanduli. Key words: Rural, yield, beneficiaries, farmers, community.

Determination of Increase in Yield of Tropical Grasses Inoculated with Spirillum lipoferum

Increase in yield of tropical grasses viz. digit grass (Digitaria decumbens), guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and pearl millet (Penisetum americanum) inoculated with tropical nitrogen-fixing bacterium, Spirillum lipoferum was investigated. The study was carried out for three consecutive years (2016-2018). Dry matter yields and protein content of the three tropical grasses were used for the assessment. In 2017, pearl millet (Penisetum americanum) and guinea grass (Panicum maximum) produced significantly higher protein content and dry matter yields. Projected yields using regression analysis of both pearl millet and guinea grass indicated that about 40kgN ha-1 yr-1 were replaced by inoculation. Although, protein production of guinea grass was lower during 2018, dry matter yield responses were similar to those of 2017. This research has shown that inoculation with Spirillum lipoferum, a tropical nitrogen-fixing bacterium reduced acetylene and increased yields or reduced nitrogen fertilizer requirement of the tropical grasses as well as replacement of up to 40KgN ha-1. This amount is agro-economically important and suggests the viability and potential for grass-bacteria systems.

Glucose Oxidase Applications and Comparison of the Activity Assays

Glucose Oxidase (GOD) oxidizes glucose to -gluconolactone in presence of moleculer oxygen by forming hydrogen peroxide. As a result of the catalysed reaction, GOD is widely used in cases where glucose or molecular oxygen should be removed to extend the shelf life of foods or used in the production of controlled hydrogen peroxide or gluconic acid. One of the most important application areas of GOD is the construction of the glucose biosensors. There are several studies about GOD purification, immobilization, industrial and analytical applications, so, fast and sensitive determination of GOD activity is essential for these studies. In this study, GOD activity determination methods were reviewed mainly four approaches: determination of decrease in glucose or oxygen concentration and determination of increase in hydrogen peroxide or gluconic acid levels.

CONSTRUCTION SELF-PROPELLED PNEUMOPUNCHERS WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

The paper reveals one of possible methods for higher productivity and reliability of building self-propelled pneumopunchers which are intended for making holes in soil while using trenchless method and constructing various engineering communications under car, tram and rail lines, airport runways. A new design of building pneumopuncher with increased productivity due to higher speed for hole formation in soil and its reliability has been presented in the paper. A formula for determination of displacement increment for a new pneumopuncher in comparison with the conventional one has been obtained in the paper. The paper describes a design and operation principal of the building self-propelled pneumopuncher which is equipped with a locking mechanism with the purpose to neutralize action of soil elastic forces and reactive repulsive force. The locking mechanism keeps the pneumopuncher in the hole. The pneumopuncher consists of a body with anvil, movable hammer, a manifold which is set in axial deepening of the hammer, a nut and a locking mechanism. Improvement of operational pneumopuncher reliability is attained due to the fact that the locking mechanism is made in the form of two coaxially positioned inner and outer cups having a common basis. A piston is installed in the middle of the inner cup, a spring is fixed over the piston and a rod with a breaking shoe is positioned at the end. Height of the inner cup is less the outer cup height and there is an annular cavity between them which is connected with a chamber. The chamber is formed by the piston, the inner cup and the manifold. The annular cavity through an opening in the inner cup wall, two sylphons, a channel in the nut end and an opening in the vertical wall of the manifold are connected with a chamber of operating stroke. The sylphons are placed between the outer cup and the nut, between the nut and the manifold. Differential equations for movement of pneumopuncher in soil have been compiled. While solving the equations a formula for determination of increase in displacement of the pneumopuncher with the locking mechanism and without it has been obtained in the paper.

New Calculation Method for Determination of the Influence of Thermal Bridges on a Building

The contribution presents a new calculation method for more exact determination of increase of thermal transmittance due to thermal bridges ΔU. Since each building is three-dimensional, to get the objective and exact results, the calculation of heat losses of a building should be carried out using three-dimensional model. However, the 3D calculation is practically rather difficult and very hard realizable in building practice in Slovakia nowadays. It is much simpler to model and calculate a building as two-dimensional. The calculation method presented in this contribution is based on the modeling two-dimensional sections of the whole building taking into account the building as a whole.

Demographic and Social Aspects of an Increasing Elderly Population: Evidence from Panel Data Analysis

This paper investigates determinants of increases in elderly populations by utilizing econometric models such as panel data analysis. All the results support stylized fact in the relationship between elderly populations, fertility, and GDP per capita in the long run. However, bi-directional channels are found to exist regarding changes in elderly populations, signifying that the primary determinants of increases in elderly populations come from demographic aspects rather than social aspects in the short run. Regarding care of the elderly, social aspects therefore appear to be quite vulnerable. It could be asserted that social systems should be carefully developed to suit aging societies.

Method of the Autonomous Indirect Identification of the Conversion Factor of Pendulum Compensating Accelerometer Under the Conditions for the Orbital Flight of Automatic Spacecraft

Is examined the method of the autonomous indirect identification of the conversion factor of pendulum compensating accelerometer, which makes it possible with the high accuracy to determine the coefficient under the conditions for orbital flight indicated by the built-in firmware means of this gauge and to, thus, decrease an error in the determination of increase in the apparent in the velocity with the accomplishment of maneuver by automatic spacecraft

Firm Incentives, Institutional Factors and Accounting Quality: The IFRS Adoption in Brazil

This study examines the role of firm-specific factors that influence the company decision to improve the level of accounting quality after the IFRS adoption. Particularly, we focus on an emerging market economic with an institutional setting characterized by weak governance mechanisms and low-speed institutional changes. The chosen setting allows to contribute with further evidence to the current literature relative to the role of institutional vs. firm-specific factors on reporting incentives and therefore, on the financial reporting decisions. Changing the accounting system is not enough to improve the context of financial opacity across emerging markets, as any new accounting regulation must be simultaneously accompanied by significant institutional changes that strength the enforcement mechanisms in place (Fan et al., 2011, Ball et al., 2000). When these “formal” institutional changes do not take place, companies may be force to establish a firm-specific commitment towards the appropriate enforcement of the new accounting system, in order to obtain the attained benefits of a accounting regulatory change. Consistent with this idea, we look at the impact of a set of firm-specific variables that may affect the financial reporting decision and therefore, the degree of accounting quality. Particularly, we focus a set of variables related to (a) the ownership structure, (b) a set of governance mechanisms: auditor and listing status; (c) the degree of internationalization, and (d) other financial characteristics. The results provide evidence on the relevance of a set of firm-specific characteristics on the level of earnings quality increase. Particularly, internationalization and growth opportunities are clear determinants of increases in earnings quality. Consistent with the previous literature, the ownership concentration reveals as a limiting factor to increases in earnings quality after the IFRS adoption. Finally, the results also suggest the lack of strong oversight and enforcement mechanisms compared to other institutional settings may harm the expected role of the auditors or alternative governance mechanisms such as the capital markets listing categories.

Determinants of increases in stillbirth rates from 2000 to 2010

After decades of decline, stillbirth rates have increased in several industrialized countries in recent years. We examined data from the province of British Columbia, Canada, in an attempt to explain this unexpected phenomenon. We carried out a retrospective population-based cohort study of all births in British Columbia from 2000 to 2010. Outcomes of interest included overall stillbirth rates, birth weight-and gestational age-specific stillbirth rates, rates of spontaneous stillbirths (excluding pregnancy terminations that satisfied the definition of stillbirth [fetal death with a birth weight ≥ 500 g or gestational age at delivery ≥ 20 wk], hereafter referred to as "pregnancy terminations") and rates of congenital anomalies among live-born infants. We used logistic regression to adjust for changes in maternal age, parity, weight before pregnancy and multiple births. Overall, stillbirth rates increased by 31% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13% to 50%), from 8.08 per 1000 total births in 2000 to 10.55 per 1000 in 2010. The rate of stillbirths with a birth weight of less than 500 g increased significantly (p(trend) = 0.03), whereas the rate of stillbirths with a birth weight of 1000 g or more decreased significantly (p(trend) = 0.009). The rate of spontaneous stillbirths decreased nonsignificantly by 16%, from 5.7 per 1000 total births in 2000 to 4.8 per 1000 in 2010. There was a significant decline of 30% (95% CI 6% to 47%) in the rate of spontaneous stillbirth with a birth weight of 1000 g or more between 2000 and 2010; adjustment for maternal factors did not appreciably change this temporal effect. The prevalence of congenital anomalies among live-born infants decreased significantly, from 5.21 per 100 live births during the first 3 years (2000-02) to 4.77 per 100 during the final 3 years (2008-10). Increases in pregnancy terminations were responsible for the increases observed in stillbirth rates and were associated with declines in the prevalence of congenital anomalies among live-born infants.

Determinants of aortic stiffening in elderly subjects: Results of a nine-year follow-up

Objective. To investigate determinants of increase in aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in elderly subjects free from overt cardiovascular disease and not treated for arterial hypertension at baseline. Methods. The present study included 90 lecture attendees (“Continuing Adult Education”) who were examined at baseline and after a median follow-up of 9.5 years, including the PWV measurement using SphygmoCor. We used multiple linear regression analyses to assess predictors of PWV change. As independent covariates, we considered parameters with known effect on arterial stiffness and use of antihypertensive and lipid lowering medication. Results. At baseline, mean age was 66.9 ± 5.1 years, and 37.8% of subjects had arterial hypertension, respectively. The PWV increased from 9.4 to 10.2 m/s; p = 0.035. While accounting for covariates, PWV was significantly and independently associated with four factors: baseline heart rate (β = 0.074, χ2 = 7.40; p = 0.0079), mean arterial pressure (β = 0.070, χ2 = 11.39; p = 0.0011), fasting glucose (β = 0.790, χ2 = 11.30; p = 0.0012), and use of antihypertensive medication (β = − 1.416, χ2 = 7.95; p = 0.0060). We did not observe correlation between PWV increase and lipid or renal parameters and lipid lowering medication. Conclusions. In elderly subjects without manifest cardiovascular disease, mechanical load and glucose concentration play a major role in the aortic stiffening. Use of antihypertensive treatment was associated with smaller PWV increase.

Yearning, Learning, and Conceding: Reasons Men and Women Change Their Childbearing Intentions

People's childbearing intentions change over the course of their reproductive lives. These changes have been conceptualized as occurring in response to the realization that an individual is unlikely to achieve his or her intended fertility, because of constraints such as the "biological clock" or lack of a partner. In this article, we find that changes to child-bearing plans are influenced by a much wider range of factors than this. People change their plans in response to the wishes of their partners, in response to social norms, as the result of repartnering, and as the result of learning about the costs and benefits of parenthood; there are also differences between the factors that influence men's and women's decision-making. In a departure from existing studies in this area, we use a flexible analytical framework that enables us to analyze increases in planned fertility separately from decreases. This allows us to uncover several complexities of the decision-making process that would otherwise be hidden, and leads us to conclude that the determinants of increases in planned fertility are not simply equal and opposite to the determinants of decreases.

Yearning, Learning and Conceding: (Some of) the Reasons People Change Their Childbearing Intentions

People’s childbearing intentions change over their lives. These changes are sometimes conceptualised as a response to constraints such as the biological clock or lack of a partner. However, we find that they are influenced by a much wider range of factors: social norms; adaptation to the wishes of a partner; re-partnering; and learning about the costs and benefits of parenthood. In a departure from existing studies we analyse increases in planned fertility separately from decreases; we conclude that the determinants of increases in planned fertility are not simply equal and opposite to the determinants of decreases.

Occurrence and determinants of increases in blood lead levels in children shortly after lead hazard control activities

This study is an examination of the effect of lead hazard control strategies on children's blood lead levels immediately after an intervention was conducted as part of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program. Fourteen state and local government grantees participated in the evaluation. The findings indicated an overall average reduction in the blood lead levels of 869 children soon after the implementation of lead hazard controls. However, 9.3% of these children ( n=81) had blood lead increases of 5 μg/dL or more. Data routinely collected as part of the evaluation, as well as additional information supplied by the individual programs, were used to determine potential reasons for these observed increases in blood lead. A logistic regression analysis indicated that three principal factors were associated with the blood lead increases: the number of exterior deteriorations present in the child's home (prior to intervention), the educational level of the female parent or guardian of the child, and the child's age. The statistical analysis did not find evidence that children living in households that either did not relocate or relocated for less than the full work period were significantly more likely to have a blood lead increase equal to or greater than 5 μg/dL than children living in households that fully relocated. Statistical analyses also did not reveal any single interior strategy to be more or less likely than others to be associated with a blood lead increase of 5 μg/dL or more.

Increase in breast size after menopause: prevalence and determinants

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and determinants of increases in breast size after menopause. Methods: Subjects were 1130 postmenopausal women, aged 54–71, participating in a population based breast cancer screening project, the DOM-project in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Questionnaire data on changes in breast size, parity, age at first childbirth, breast feeding, age at menarche, age at menopause, HRT use and usual weight between age 30 years and age at questionnaire were used. Weight and height were measured at three screening rounds and waist and hip circumference was measured once. Results: 18.6% of the women reported that they had to buy a larger bra because of changes in breast size, whereas 1.7% reported that they had to buy a smaller bra. Weight gain, waist circumference, hip circumference, Quetelet’s index at third screening, Quetelet’s index at first screening, waist-to-hip ratio and years since menopause were significantly associated with increased breast size (odds ratios between 2.5 and 1.4) (all tests for trend P<0.05), whereas age at menopause, HRT use, parity and age at menarche were modestly, though not significantly associated with increased breast size. Age, usual Quetelet’s index, age at first childbirth and number of months of full breast feeding were not associated with increased breast size. Conclusion: About one in five women experienced an increase in breast size after menopause. The most important factor associated with such an increase was found to be weight gain.

The Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance and Earnings Quality

Extant research examining the determinants of deferred tax asset valuation allowances finds that the evidence provisions outlined in SFAS 109 explain a significant portion of both levels of and changes in recorded valuation allowances. In addition, there is evidence of a stock price reaction around the time of announcements of valuation allowance information. The present study extends existing research in two ways. First, extant research on determinants of valuation allowance changes does not incorporate the asymmetry in the evidence provisions of SFAS 109. Accordingly, we separately examine the determinants of increases versus decreases in valuation allowances and find that the evidence provisions of SFAS 109 explain a much greater portion of valuation allowance increases than decreases. Second, we examine the association between annual stock returns and reported earnings resulting from valuation allowance changes. While the earnings effect of valuation allowance changes is found to be significant in the expected direction, the stock price reactions do not occur in the period the earnings effect is reported. This is consistent with low earnings “quality” under SFAS 109.

Ca2+-induced Ca2+ Release from the Endoplasmic Reticulum Amplifies the Ca2+ Signal Mediated by Activation of Voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ Channels in Pancreatic β-Cells

Stimulus-secretion coupling in pancreatic beta-cells involves membrane depolarization and Ca(2+) entry through voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) channels, which is one determinant of increases in the cytoplasmic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). We investigated how the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated Ca(2+) apparatus further modifies this Ca(2+) signal. When fura-2-loaded mouse beta-cells were depolarized by KCl in the presence of 3 mm glucose, [Ca(2+)](i) increased to a peak in two phases. The second phase of the [Ca(2+)](i) increase was abolished when ER Ca(2+) stores were depleted by thapsigargin. The steady-state [Ca(2+)](i) measured at 300 s of depolarization was higher in control cells compared with cells in which the ER Ca(2+) pools were depleted. The amount of Ca(2+) presented to the cytoplasm during depolarization as estimated from the integral of the increment in [Ca(2+)](i) over time (integralDelta[Ca(2+)](i).dt) was approximately 30% higher compared with that in the Ca(2+) pool-depleted cells. neo-thapsigargin, an inactive analog, did not affect [Ca(2+)](i) response. Using Sr(2+) in the extracellular medium and exploiting the differences in the fluorescence properties of Ca(2+)- and Sr(2+)-bound fluo-3, we found that the incoming Sr(2+) triggered Ca(2+) release from the ER. Depolarization-induced [Ca(2+)](i) response was not altered by, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, suggesting that stimulation of the enzyme by Ca(2+) is not essential for amplification of Ca(2+) signaling. [Ca(2+)](i) response was enhanced when cells were depolarized in the presence of 3 mm glucose, forskolin, and caffeine, suggesting involvement of ryanodine receptors in the amplification process. Pretreatment with ryanodine (100 microm) diminished the second phase of the depolarization-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i). We conclude that Ca(2+) entry through L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels triggers Ca(2+) release from the ER and that such a process amplifies depolarization-induced Ca(2+) signaling in beta-cells.

Risk factors for the incidence of hyperuricaemia: a 6-year longitudinal study of middle-aged Japanese men.

Few longitudinal studies on the determinants of increase in serum uric acid (SUA) have been completed. In all, 1445 hyperuricaemia-free (<7.5 mg/dl SUA, no medication for and no past history of hyperuricaemia) male office workers aged 30-54 years of T Corporation in Osaka, Japan were re-examined for six successive years. Subjects who were found to be hyperuricaemic or had started medication for hyperuricaemia during repeat surveys were defined as incident cases. Among the subjects (n = 1365) not receiving medication for hypertension, diabetes mellitus or renal disease, multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model indicated that the incidence of hyperuricaemia had significant relationships with body mass index (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.13 for a 2 kg/m2 increase; 95% CI: 1.02-1.26), mean blood pressure (HR = 1.07 for a 5 mmHg increase; 95% CI: 1.00-1.13), log triglyceride level (HR = 2.21 for a 10 mg/dl increase; 95% CI: 1.12-4.37), alcohol intake (HR = 2.33 for drinking 46.0 g of ethanol per day or more relative to non-drinking; 95% CI: 1.55-3.50) and smoking (HR = 0.65 for current-smoking relative to non-smoking; 95% CI: 0.46-0.92). Age (HR = 0.89 for a 5-year increase; 95% CI: 0.78-1.00) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (HR = 0.89 for a 0.5% increase; 95% CI: 0.78-1.00) achieved marginal significance. Obesity, high blood pressure, high triglyceride level, and alcohol intake are contributory factors for the development of hyperuricaemia among middle-aged Japanese men. High HbA1c level and smoking may be negative factors for the incidence of hyperuricaemia.