Global Factors Research Articles

Spatio-temporal occurrence, burden, risk factors and modelling methods for estimating scrub typhus burden from global to subnational resolutions: a systematic review protocol.

Scrub typhus is a neglected life-threatening vector-borne disease mainly caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is occasionally transmitted to humans during feeding of larval mites. It has been estimated that more than 1 billion persons are potentially threatened and 1 million clinical cases occur annually across the world; however, it is unclear how this estimate was computed (and what the original source was) and much remains unknown regarding its global burden and risk factors. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the spatial-temporal distribution of scrub typhus, associated burden and risk factors at global, national and subnational resolutions, and to review the burden estimation models used at those different scales. A systematic search for literature on scrub typhus occurrence, risk factors and modelling methods will be conducted. PubMed and five other databases will be searched for published literature, and Google Scholar and nine other databases will be used to search for grey literatures. All titles/abstracts of the searched records will be separately assessed by two reviewers, who will then screen the full-text of potential records to decide eligibility. A pre-formatted spreadsheet will be used by one reviewer to extract data from qualifying research, with a second reviewer checking the results. Data will be tabulated, synthesized descriptively, and summarized narratively for each review question. Where appropriate, meta-analyses will be conducted. The risk of bias will be assessed, and potential publication bias will be detected. This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the current occurrence, spatial-temporal distribution, and burden of scrub typhus, identify associated risk factors from global to subnational resolutions, consolidate the best practice modeling framework(s) to estimate the burden of scrub typhus at various geographic/temporal resolutions, and decompose the relative contributions of various risk factors at scale. CRD42022315209.

Blood pressure management strategies and podocyte health.

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the key global cardiovascular risk factors, which is tightly linked to kidney health and disease development. Podocytes, glomerular epithelial cells that play a pivotal role in maintenance of the renal filtration barrier, are significantly affected by increased glomerular capillary pressure in HTN. Damage or loss of these cells causes proteinuria, which marks the initiation of the HTN-driven renal damage. It goes without saying that effective BP management should not only mitigate cardiovascular risks but also preserve renal function by protecting podocyte integrity. This review offers a comprehensive examination of current blood pressure (BP) management strategies and their implications for podocyte structure and function and emphasizes strategies for the reduction of proteinuria in HTN. We explore primary and secondary antihypertensive agents, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, as well as newer therapies (SGLT2 blocking and endothelin receptor antagonism), emphasizing their mechanistic roles in safeguarding podocytes and curtailing proteinuria.

Social and humanitarian issues in nephrology and hypertension.

Chronic kidney disease and hypertension, two widely prevalent conditions worldwide, present an urgent and pressing need for immediate action. The review describes how social conditions and humanitarian issues can influence hypertension and kidney disease. Undoubtedly, social determinants of health (SDoH) are key influencers in the development of many noncommunicable diseases, including hypertension and kidney disease. Healthcare professionals, including public health workers, play a crucial role in addressing these issues. Poverty, low education level, poor nutrition, housing, exposure to environmental hazards, and stress-related disorders are all factors that can be addressed, either directly or indirectly, through improved awareness and access to proper healthcare services. Besides personal factors, national, regional, or global factors cause serious apprehension. Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can lead to significant aftermaths on the healthy person and certainly on kidney disease and hypertensive patients. A Global Overview Report, 2023 turned out to be one of the most violent years since the end of the Cold War. In 2023, 59 state-based conflicts were recorded in 34 countries, the highest number registered since 1946. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza were the primary contributors with a significant impact on the kidney population, especially people living on dialysis and transplantation patients. They also yielded many refugees or displaced persons with ongoing suffering. It is crucial to recognize that social and humanitarian conditions can quickly exacerbate the health of vulnerable populations, particularly those with noncommunicable diseases like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. These patients, who often require continuous follow-up, especially those on dialysis, are particularly vulnerable during difficult times. Their lives depend on uninterrupted access to dialysis or transplantation medications, making the need for special attention and care more pressing. Further research and advocacy are needed to address these issues and ensure the health and well being of these populations.

MOF-mediated acetylation of CDK9 promotes global transcription by modulating P-TEFb complex formation.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a catalytic subunit of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex, is a global transcriptional elongation factor associated with cell proliferation. CDK9 activity is regulated by certain histone acetyltransferases, such as p300, GCN5 and P/CAF. However, the impact of males absent on the first (MOF) (also known as KAT8 or MYST1) on CDK9 activity has not been reported. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of MOF on CDK9. We present evidence from systematic biochemical assays and molecular biology approaches arguing that MOF interacts with and acetylates CDK9 at the lysine 35 (i.e. K35) site, and that this acetyl-group can be removed by histone deacetylase HDAC1. Notably, MOF-mediated acetylation of CDK9 at K35 promotes the formation of the P-TEFb complex through stabilizing CDK9 protein and enhancing its association with cyclin T1, which further increases RNA polymerase II serine 2 residues levels and global transcription. Our study reveals for the first time that MOF promotes global transcription by acetylating CDK9, providing a new strategy for exploring the comprehensive mechanism of the MOF-CDK9 axis in cellular processes.

Untangling the finance-growth nexus: The dual role of financial development in the transmission of shocks

Does financial development shield countries from the pass-through of financial shocks to real outcomes? We evaluate this question by characterizing the probability density of GDP growth conditional on foreign and domestic financial stress indicators in a panel of 24 emerging countries. Our robust results unveil a previously unexplored dual impact of higher degrees of financial development on the transmission of financial stress: while the effect of global factors is attenuated, the impact of domestic factors is exacerbated. This result highlights a previously unexplored channel through which financial development can alter the link between financial (in)stability and GDP growth.

Pressure Source Model of the Production Process of Natural Gas from Unconventional Reservoirs

This work is focused on developing a computational model to predict the production rate and pressure evolution of natural gas from unconventional reservoirs, particularly shale gas deposits. The model is based on the principle of conservation of mechanical energy and was developed from the transient solution of Bernoulli’s equation. This solution was obtained by computing the pressure evolution in the well resulting from the combined action of extracting the free gas and of gasification from kerogen. The transient behavior of gas production by hydraulic fracturing was calculated by numerically integrating Bernoulli’s equation. The curves representing gas flow evolution were considered as a series of stepwise steady states under a constant gas flow rate, similar to the pressure–time curves. These time steps were connected by instantaneous drops in pressure or gas flow rates. On the other hand, the delayed release of the adsorbed and dissolved gas in the kerogen was accurately calculated by introducing a semi-empirical gas pressure source term into the gas well pressure equation. The effect of this source is to gradually increase the gas pressure in the reservoir, emulating the gas release mechanisms from the organic matter. Model validation was based on production data from the unconventional reservoirs Eagle Ford, U.S.A., and Burgos basin, México. The initial measured gas production rate was used to determine a global friction factor of the gas flowing out from soil cracks and ducts. Additionally, measured production rate data were used to determine the coefficients of the source term function. Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.97 and 0.96 were obtained for Eagle Ford and Burgos basins data, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding coefficients calculated from the traditional Arps’ model were 0.89 and 0.5, respectively. The present pressure source model (PSM) represents a new approach to characterize the process of gas production from unconventional reservoirs, proving to be accurate in forecasting both the gas flow rate and pressure evolution during gas production. The postulated pressure source term was shown to mimic the desorption and diffusion kinetics, which release free gas from the kerogen.

Multiscale tail risk integration between safe-haven assets and Africa’s emerging equity market

This study examines the multiscale tail risk integration between safe-haven assets and top equity markets in Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia, and Morocco) as well as portfolio implications. We further investigate the role of global economic factors in these relationships by employing Conditional Autoregressive Value at Risk and Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise-based TVP-VAR with data spanning from January 2010 to September 2024. Our findings show that while the equity market in South Africa is a net transmitter of tail risk spillovers, the rest of the equity markets are net receivers. They also reveal that while gold and silver transmit significant shocks to the other assets, Bitcoin receives considerable shocks from the other assets. We conclude that global economic factors and spillovers from safe-haven assets significantly affect the tail risk exposures of Africa’s equity markets. Our findings have significant implications for investment decision-making.

Integration of Air Conditioning Systems in Intelligent Buildings to Increase Efficiency

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and cooling, collectively known as HVAC, account for more than 40% of the electricity consumed in buildings. Global climatic factors, referring to comfort and factors related to health, dictate that there is an increasing need for the application of HVAC/R systems. Therefore, it is increasingly compelling to investigate various approaches to enhance the effectiveness of air treatment systems. The automation of buildings has facilitated the integration of air treatment systems with “other existing” systems that can impact the indoor climatic conditions, such as automated windows and curtains, etc. In order to achieve this, it is essential to employ calculation techniques for air handling systems and for the heat transfer between buildings and the external environment. By integrating these systems, it becomes possible to maintain a comfortable environment while actively minimizing the electricity consumption of the heat pump. This article focuses on the integration of air conditioning systems in intelligent buildings to enhance efficiency.

Export demand patterns for blue swimming crab from Indonesia to United States : impact of fishing seasons in FMA 712 (2018 to 2022)

Abstract Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) is a significant fishery export commodity from Indonesia, especially the fisheries management area (FMA) 712. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between export demand and fishing season in FMA 712 during the last five years (2018–2022) based on export volume, prices, and fishing season information. Fishing season in Indonesia was classified as the west season with high rainfall (November to May) and the east season with low rainfall (June to October). The data were analyzed by correlation and trend analysis. The results showed that the export demand for blue swimming crab fluctuated with the fishing season. Demand for blue swimming crab tends to increase in the west season due to abundant supply from a favorable fishing season, leading to decreased prices due to international market competition. Conversely, demand for blue swimming crabs declines in the east season due to reduced supply from an unfavorable fishing season, resulting in increased prices due to limited availability. To address fluctuations, market diversification, product quality improvement, and sustainable fishery resource management are essential to balance profitable exports and marine preservation. Other variables that may influence export demand, such as global economic and political factors, were not included in this analysis.

A Comprehensive Review on Understanding Magnesium Disorders: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management Strategies.

Magnesium is vital in a broad spectrum of physiological processes, including enzyme activity, energy production, and neuromuscular function. Despite its crucial role, magnesium disorders - comprising both deficiency (hypomagnesemia) and excess (hypermagnesemia) - are frequently underrecognized and inadequately managed in clinical practice. Magnesium deficiency is widespread, particularly among populations with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and those experiencing malnutrition, often leading to significant neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and metabolic complications. Conversely, hypermagnesemia, though less common, poses serious risks, especially in individuals with impaired renal function or those receiving high doses of magnesium supplements or medications. This review comprehensively examines magnesium disorders, detailing their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management strategies. It highlights the essential functions of magnesium in maintaining cellular integrity, cardiovascular health, and bone structure and discusses the global prevalence and risk factors associated with magnesium imbalances. By offering insights into the current understanding of magnesium homeostasis and its disruptions, this review aims to enhance the awareness and treatment of magnesium-related conditions, ultimately improving patient outcomes across diverse clinical settings.

Combined Application of Multiple Global Change Factors Negatively Influences Key Soil Processes across an Urban Gradient in Berlin, Germany

Urbanization is a growing phenomenon affecting soils worldwide. Urban centers have been highlighted as hotspots for global change factors due to heightened anthropogenic activity. However, few studies have investigated the multifaceted impacts of global change factors (GCFs) acting in concert with urban soils. Thus, the objective of this study was to add GCFs in different combinations (0, 1, 2, 5, and 8 simultaneously) in three high-urbanity and three low-urbanity soils in Berlin and to evaluate their effects on soil parameters and functions. We hypothesized four potential outcomes of soil process responses to GCF exposure, Site-Specific Resistance, General Susceptibility, Low-Urbanity Resistance, and High-Urbanity Resistance. We provide evidence for the negative impacts of individual and multiple GCF application on litter decomposition, water repellency, and water-stable aggregates. Additionally, we highlight the General Susceptibility of litter decomposition to GCF exposure regardless of urbanity, as well as the Low-Urbanity Resistance of water repellency and High-Urbanity Resistance of water-stable aggregates under increased exposure to GCFs. This study expands on evidence of the growing threat of global change factors in urban settings and highlights some potential consequences regarding soil function.

Global Financial Factors and the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Drove the Degree of (In)Efficiency of the Brazilian Stock Market in the Recent Period?

Global Financial Factors and the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Drove the Degree of (In)Efficiency of the Brazilian Stock Market in the Recent Period?

Metabolic engineering of the substrate utilization pathway in Escherichia coli increases L-lysine production

L-lysine is an essential amino acid with broad applications in the animal feed, human food, and pharmaceutical industries. The fermentation production of L-lysine by Escherichia coli has limitations such as poor substrate utilization efficiency and low saccharide conversion rates. We deleted the global regulatory factor gene mlc and introduced heterologous genes, including the maltose phosphotransferase genes (malAP) from Bacillus subtilis, to enhance the use efficiency of disaccharides and trisaccharides. The engineered strain E. coli XC3 demonstrated improved L-lysine production, yield, and productivity, which reached 160.00 g/L, 63.78%, and 4.44 g/(L‧h), respectively. Furthermore, we overexpressed the glutamate dehydrogenase gene (gdhA) and assimilated nitrate reductase genes (BsnasBC) from B. subtilis, along with nitrite reductase genes (EcnirBD) from E. coli, in strain E. coli XC3. This allowed the construction of E. coli XC4 with a nitrate assimilation pathway. The L-lysine production, yield, and productivity of E. coli XC4 were elevated to 188.00 g/L, 69.44%, and 5.22 g/(L‧h), respectively. After optimization of the residual sugar concentration and carbon to nitrogen ratio, the L-lysine production, yield, and productivity were increased to 204.00 g/L, 72.32%, and 5.67 g/(L‧h), respectively, in a 5 L fermenter. These values represented the increases of 40.69%, 20.03%, and 40.69%, respectively, compared with those of the starting strain XC1. By engineering the substrate utilization pathway, we successfully constructed a high-yield L-lysine producing strain, laying a solid foundation for the industrial production of L-lysine.

A comparative analysis of temperature trends at Modena Geophysical Observatory and Mount Cimone Observatory, Italy

AbstractGlobal warming has become a critical environmental, social, and economic threat, with increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This study aims to analyse temperature trends and climate indices in the Po Valley, a significant economic and agricultural region in Italy, by examining data from two historical stations: the urban Modena Observatory and the rural Mount Cimone Observatory. The analysis extends previous studies to 2018, assessing the magnitude of climate changes since the 1950s and isolating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in Modena. Significant warming trends were confirmed at both sites, with in maximum (TX) and minimum (TN) temperatures trends nearly doubling from 1981 to 2018 compared to 1951–2018. For example, TX trends reached 0.84°C·decade−1 in Modena and 0.62°C·decade−1 at Mount Cimone, while TN trends were 0.77 and 0.80°C·decade−1, respectively. Extreme climate indices showed a substantial increase in warm days and nights (TX90p and TN90p, respectively). Particularly we found TX90p of 27.5 days·decade−1 in Modena and 15 days·decade−1 at Mount Cimone while TN90p of 29.5 days·decade−1 in Modena, 22 days·decade−1 at Mount Cimone. The UHI effect significantly impacts Modena's temperature trends. Urbanization contributes up to 65% of the rise in warm nights. Specifically, frost days decreased by 1.88 days·decade−1 (37% of Urban Contribute, UC), tropical nights increased by 5.16 days·decade−1 (57% UC), warm nights increased by 12.7 days·decade−1 (65% UC), and cool nights decreased by 3.19 days·decade−1 (39% UC). Overall, the study underscores the importance of considering both global and local factors in regional climate trend analysis.

Embracing Global and Local

The paper explores cases of immigrant/expatriate game developers (“game expats”) in Finland, focusing on the influence of global platforms and local game development practices. Results from qualitatively analyzing longitudinal interview transcripts (n=64) collected from 2020 to 2023 indicate that the migration of game expats is inherently bound to globally shared and fast-changing game development tools and platforms (e.g., shared game engines, publishing channels). Thus, an individual’s digital compatibility with global technical practices positively affects the motivation to migrate. Meanwhile, countries and companies each have different ways of implementing game development practices into work (e.g., different terminology, prioritization). The individuals’ ability to adapt to such local interpretations of practices positively affects settlement and motivation to stay. However, despite the pluralistic nature of game development — of both global and local factor’s influence — the incidents of cultural encounters and tryouts were often perceived as a risk amongst game developers. This negative perception leads to game expats’ assimilation and self-exploitative work attitudes. Therefore, the paper calls for a joint effort of industrial and societal game ecosystem stakeholders to encourage cultural competence and tolerance in the ecosystem to nurture sustainable talent pools and inclusive game work environments.

Dynamics of Capital Flows and Global Factors: Case of Emerging Economies

Dynamics of Capital Flows and Global Factors: Case of Emerging Economies

DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE IN UKRAINE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY

The development of electronic commerce positively impacts the national economy by transforming business processes and consumer experience. eCommerce provides convenient access to goods and services from anywhere in the world, reducing costs and time spent on purchases, and facilitates the expansion of market opportunities. The aim of this study is to analyze the various characteristics and dimensions of eCommerce development in Ukraine, both before and after the full-scale war, and to examine its profound impact on the economy and broader society. This investigation will consider the shifting trends, challenges, and opportunities within the digital marketplace, offering insights into how these changes influence economic performance and social dynamics. The paper presents an analysis of eCommerce in Ukraine, including the legislative definition of «electronic commerce» and the positive aspects of digitalization on the economy. It examines the effects of global and local factors on the development of eCommerce in Ukraine and provides an overview of the dynamics of Ukrainian eCommerce from 2017 to 2023 in terms of major retailers. A forecast of significant growth in eCommerce revenues by 2029 in Ukraine is provided, based on the adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions, as well as improvements in digital literacy, expansion of eCommerce infrastructure, changes in consumer habits, and support for small and medium-sized businesses. Based on the analysis, recommendations for post-war recovery of the eCommerce sector are proposed. Conclusions are drawn regarding the positive impact of eCommerce on businesses, the state, and consumers. Further development of eCommerce in Ukraine requires adaptation to new conditions and technological innovations, increased digital literacy, and support for small and medium enterprises in their transition to online platforms

The Awareness and Control Measures for Hypertension among the Elderly Population in a South-South Community, Nigeria

High blood pressure also known as hypertension is the second global risk factor for disease. The study assessed the awareness and control measures of hypertension among elderly individuals in a South- South Community, Nigeria. The study surveyed 92 elderly individuals using a descriptive design, using a self-structured questionnaire, and analyzing data using SPSS version 24. Findings established 60.13± 0.45 as the mean age of the respondents; 49(53.3%) were females and 29(31.5%) were business executives. 85(92.4%) of participants know that hypertension is an increase in one’s blood pressure. 60(65.2%) of participants know that regular checking of blood pressure is a preventive strategy against hypertension. 80(87%) of participants understand that adherence to hypertensive drugs as prescribed by the doctor is one of the ways to control blood pressure. 66(71.7%) of the participants agree that taking food low in salt can help to control blood pressure. 69 (75%) of participants agree that the availability of time to go for regular blood pressure check-ups is very important. This study concluded that there is a high level of awareness of hypertension and a cause for concern, as majority of the participants has inadequate practice of control measures of hypertension.

Volatility dynamics in energy and agriculture markets: An analysis of domestic and global uncertainty factors

PurposeThis study aims to explore the intricate relationship between uncertainty indicators and volatility of commodity futures, with a specific focus on agriculture and energy sectors.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyse the volatility of Indian agriculture and energy futures using the GARCH-MIDAS model, taking into account different types of uncertainty factors. The evaluation of out-sample predictive capability involves the application of out-sample R-squared test and computation of various loss functions.FindingsThe research outcomes underscore the significant impact of diverse uncertainty factors such as domestic economic policy uncertainty (EPU), global EPU (GEPU), US EPU and geopolitical risk (GPR) on long-run volatility of Indian energy and agriculture (agri) futures. Additionally, the study demonstrates that GPR exhibits superior predictive capability for crude oil futures volatility, while domestic EPU stands out as an effective predictor for agri futures, particularly castor seed and guar gum.Practical implicationsThe study offers practical implications for market participants and policymakers to adopt a comprehensive perspective, incorporating diverse uncertainty factors, for informed decision-making and effective risk management in commodity markets.Originality/valueThe research makes an inaugural attempt to examine the impact of domestic and global uncertainty indicators on modelling and predicting volatility in energy and agri futures. The distinctive feature of considering an emerging market also adds a novel dimension to the research landscape.

SILP: Enhancing skin lesion classification with spatial interaction and local perception

Because of the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and global environmental factors, the number of patients with skin lesions is increasing. If left untreated, skin lesions may lead to skin cancer. However, limited access to specialized medical care remains a challenge in certain regions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an efficient, accurate, and accessible tool to identify suspicious lesions. Although there are many classification models for skin lesions, there is still room for improvement in terms of accuracy. To enhance the accuracy of skin lesion classification, a novel system named SILP is proposed in this study. There are two modules in SILP: the LPM and the SIM. Additionally, we have changed the activation function from GELU to SiLU to improve both training time and accuracy. SILP, along with several other models, has been tested on two public skin lesion datasets. The results demonstrate that our proposed system outperforms the state-of-the-art skin lesion classification model, not only in terms of accuracy but also in various other evaluation metrics.