Individual Characteristics Research Articles

Examining the impacts of urban tree structure and condition on adult depression in the United States

Urbanization can stimulate economic growth through industrialization; however, urbanization can also lead to dense development and high population densities. Both factors cause stress and negatively impact the quality of life of inhabitants living in cities. In response, a growing body of research has examined the association between urban trees and human health, in general and psychological well-being, in particular. Although this literature has tended to focus on tree canopy broadly, questions remain regarding the effects of specific tree characteristics (e.g., crown dieback, tree with damage, and leaf area). This study examines the association between adult depression and tree structure and condition metrics in ten cities across the United States. Adult depression data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and individual tree structure and condition data were calculated using the Urban Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. The linear mixed-effects model showed a positive relationship between depression and tree crown-dieback percentage (p = 0.03). Understanding the interplay between individual tree characteristics and adult depression can inform urban planning, design, and maintenance practices.

The Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training with Different Duration on Fibrinogen and Plasma Viscosity in Sedentary Male College Students

Background: There have been few investigations into the impact of high-intensity interval training on blood rheology. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate how high-intensity interval training conducted with different duration affects fibrinogen and plasma viscosity in sedentary young college men. Methods: For this study, 36 healthy male participants were selected and grouped based on their individual characteristics. The groups included a control group (n = 9), a 45-second training group (tr-45; n = 9), a 30-second training group (tr-30; n = 9), and a 15-second training group (tr-15; n = 9). The training regimen comprised six sessions over two weeks, with varying sets (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 4 respectively) and durations of 15, 30, and 45 seconds for different groups. There was a fixed 4-minute rest interval between each set, with a consistent load of 0.6 on the Wingate cycle ergometer. Blood samples were collected 48 hours before and after the final session to analyze fibrinogen and plasma viscosity levels. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in plasma fibrinogen levels (F3, 32 = 2.303, P = 0.96). However, post-test analysis revealed a significant decrease in plasma fibrinogen in the tr-45 group (P = 0.027) compared to pre-test levels. Plasma viscosity did not significantly change between groups (F3, 32 = 0.651, P = 0.058), but there was a significant interaction between time and group (F3, 40 = 4.43, P = 0.009). Post-test analysis showed a significant decrease in plasma viscosity in the tr-45 (P = 0.010), tr-30 (P = 0.002), and tr-15 (P = 0.003) groups, while it significantly increased in the control group (P = 0.004) compared to pre-test levels. Conclusions: The findings suggest that high-intensity interval training can effectively decrease blood rheology and factors such as fibrinogen and plasma viscosity, with the 45-second HIIT being more efficient. Therefore, incorporating this training into Physical Activity Programs could be beneficial for inactive men.

Review of landslide inventories for Nepal between 2010 and 2021 reveals data gaps in global landslide hotspot

AbstractA review of landslide inventories provides an essential assessment of the state of knowledge around landslide hazard and can guide the focus of future studies. This is especially true in Nepal, which is highly prone to landslides, but lacks a comprehensive overview of landslide occurrence nationally. Here, we compile a database of 117 landslide inventories for Nepal released between 2010 and 2021. We review how these existing inventories shape our understanding of landsliding in Nepal and discuss how future research efforts could mitigate current challenges. We find that 40% of the country was only manually mapped once across the study period, and, crucially, these areas did not always correspond with areas of low landslide susceptibility. Instead, existing landslide inventories typically focus on specific areas, such as the region affected by the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake and major highway corridors. We also extrapolated the individual inventory characteristics from within this unique database to infer a national-scale areal density of 0.05 landslides per km2, equating to 6000 landslides across the country. This extrapolated value provides a baseline for future national-scale studies, especially for inventories created through automated mapping approaches. Our review highlights the importance of expanding the footprint of landslide inventories in Nepal to include regions with low mapping coverage and the need for inventories to be openly available, with clear protocols to enable inter-comparison. Whilst our review has focused on Nepal, these findings are likely to be relevant in other landslide-prone countries and our recommendations are intended to be applicable elsewhere.

부모의 성취압력과 진로성숙도의 관계에서 자율성의 매개효과와 학업수행능력의 조절효과

Objectives The purpose of this study is to discuss implications for improving the career maturity of children and adolescents by confirming the mediating effect of the child's level of autonomy and the moderating effect of academic performance in the relationship between parental achievement pressure and career maturity. Methods The study utilized data from the 12th (2019) and 13th (2020) waves of the Korean Children Panel Survey, with a total of 1,187 participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26 software, including reliability analysis, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis. Additionally, the PROCESS macro was employed to analyze the research model, specifically the 4th mediation model and the 7th moderated mediation model. Results First, parental achievement pressure had a negative impact on children's autonomy and career maturity, and autonomy had a positive impact on career maturity. Second, parental achievement pressure had a negative impact on career maturity through the mediating effect of children's autonomy. Third, a significant moderating effect of academic performance was found in the relationship between parental achievement pressure and children's autonomy. In other words, academic performance enhanced the negative impact of parental achievement pressure on autonomy. Fourth, the controlled mediating effect by academic performance ability was significant, and it was confirmed that the higher the academic performance ability, the stronger the negative mediating effect of achievement pressure on career maturity through autonomy. Conclusions Based on the analysis results, this study suggests that parents need the right parenting attitude to improve their career maturity, that supporting autonomy is helpful, and that effective parenting methods can vary depending on individual characteristics such as academic performance. In addition, the direction of follow-up research was suggested, such as comparative analysis of the effects of parenting methods according to individual characteristics, achievement pressure through qualitative research, and in-depth analysis of autonomy.

영아교사의 전문성 관련 요인에 대한 메타분석

Objectives This study classified the related factors to provide basic data for understanding and supporting factors related to the professionalism of early childhood teachers and examined the effects of subfactors of each characteristic through meta-analysis. Methods For the purpose of a meta-analysis study to analyze the degree of correlation effect size between factors related to the professionalism of early childhood teachers, data were collected from domestic master's and doctoral dissertations and academic journals published from March 2003 to April 2024 using ‘early childhood teachers’ and ‘professionalism’ as keywords. The effect sizes of the final 54 factors were analyzed using the CMA meta-analysis program. Results First, among the factors related to the professionalism of infant teachers, organizational characteristics showed the largest effect size, followed by individual characteristics, job characteristics-protection, and job characteristics-risk. Second, the subfactors of individual characteristics showed happiness, personality, ego-resilience, and sensitivity in that order. Organizational characteristics showed high effect sizes in the order of organizational commitment, work environment, organizational health, teaching beliefs, peer relationships, and organizational effectiveness. As for the protective factors of job characteristics, the level of professional development, interaction, childcare commitment, job satisfaction, teacher efficacy, coping strategies, infant development knowledge, teaching ethics, role performance, play teaching efficacy, childcare environment, and teaching motivation showed high effect sizes in that order. Job stress, a risk factor of job characteristics, showed a medium effect size. Conclusions The factors related to the professionalism of early childhood teachers studied in Korea were found to have an overall effect on professionalism, and among them, organizational characteristics showed the greatest effect. Based on the research results, follow-up research and directions for the professionalism of early childhood teachers were discussed.

Hyperspectral Imaging Combined with Deep Learning for the Early Detection of Strawberry Leaf Gray Mold Disease

The presence of gray mold can seriously affect the yield and quality of strawberries. Due to their susceptibility and the rapid spread of this disease, it is important to develop early, accurate, rapid, and non-destructive disease identification strategies. In this study, the early detection of strawberry leaf diseases was performed using hyperspectral imaging combining multi-dimensional features like spectral fingerprints and vegetation indices. Firstly, hyperspectral images of healthy and early affected leaves (24 h) were acquired using a hyperspectral imaging system. Then, spectral reflectance (616) and vegetation index (40) were extracted. Next, the CARS algorithm was used to extract spectral fingerprint features (17). Pearson correlation analysis combined with the SPA method was used to select five significant vegetation indices. Finally, we used five deep learning methods (LSTMs, CNNs, BPFs, and KNNs) to build disease detection models for strawberries based on individual and fusion characteristics. The results showed that the accuracy of the recognition model based on fused features ranged from 88.9% to 96.6%. The CNN recognition model based on fused features performed best, with a recognition accuracy of 96.6%. Overall, the fused feature-based model can reduce the dimensionality of the classification data and effectively improve the predicting accuracy and precision of the classification algorithm.

Student behavior at university: The development and validation of a 10-dimensional scale.

This study proposes the multidimensional concept of 'student behavior at university' and methodology for its quantitative investigation. Unlike previous concepts related to aspects of the student experience, the idea of student behavior considers the combinations and interrelations of individual and environmental characteristics affecting student experience and outcomes. It provides a new lens for viewing student experience at university, highlighting the multifacetedness of this phenomenon and the diversity of possible patterns of student behavior. Based on the conceptual model, a ten-dimensional scale measuring student behavior was developed and validated through mixed-method research with an exploratory sequential design. The following dimensions of student behavior were identified: 1) interaction with course content in class; 2) persistence; 3) self-learning; 4) irresponsible learning behavior; 5) active learning; 6) friendship; 7) study collaboration; 8) obedience; 9) creating a positive self-image; and 10) extracurricular involvement. To develop a survey instrument, we utilized semistructured in-depth interviews with Russian students (n = 119). In the quantitative phase of the study, based on the survey (n = 1,253) carried out at seven highly selective Russian universities, we tested the reliability and validity of the ten-dimensional scale. To test construct-related validity, we utilized the self-determination theory developed by Ryan and Deci and a short version of the Academic Motivation Scale developed by Gordeeva, Sychev, and Osin for the Russian educational context. Our findings are in line with assumptions of self-determination theory and the results of previous studies and can be considered evidence of construct validity. The directions for further development of the methodological approach and its practical implications are discussed.

Research progress of three-dimensional printed customized prosthesis and its application in acetabular reconstruction of hip revision surgery

To review research progress on the design, manufacturing, and clinical application of three-dimensional (3D) printed customized prosthesis in acetabular reconstruction of hip revision surgery. The related research literature on 3D printed customized prosthesis and its application in acetabular reconstruction of hip revision surgery was searched by key words of "3D printed customized prosthesis", "revision hip arthroplasty", "acetabular bone defect", and "acetabular reconstruction" between January 2013 and May 2024 in Chinese and English databases, such as CNKI, Wanfang database, PubMed, etc. A total of 34 271 articles were included. After reading the literature titles, abstracts, or full texts, the literature of unrelated, repetitive, low-quality, and low evidence level was screened out, and a total of 48 articles were finally included for analysis and summary. The bone growth and mechanical properties of 3D printed customized prosthesis materials are better than those of non-3D printed customized prosthesis, which further solves the problem of elastic modulus mismatch between the implant and natural bone caused by "stress shielding"; the porous structure and antibacterial coating on the surface of 3D printed customized prosthesis have good anti-bacterial effect. 3D printed customized prosthesis can perfectly match the patient's individual acetabular anatomical characteristics and defect type, thus improving the accuracy of acetabular reconstruction and reducing the surgical time and trauma. 3D printed customized prosthesis can be used for precise and efficient individualized acetabular reconstruction in hip revision surgery with good early- and mid-term effectiveness. More optimized production technics and procedures need to be developed to improve the efficiency of clinical application and long-term effectiveness.

Predictors of Decisional Capacity in Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Test Candidates.

Deciding to learn one's Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker status is a high-stakes endeavor that requires comprehending and deliberating about complex and nuanced information. Assessing capacity to consent to AD biomarker testing and disclosure is further complicated when candidates have cognitive impairment and present with family care partners. The objective of this analysis was to identify predictors of decisional capacity for an amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) disclosure study among persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their family care partners. This analysis used an analytical correlational design, using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of amyloid PET results disclosure. Simple linear regression was used to examine predictors of decisional capacity. Focusing on persons with MCI, the predictor variables of interest were sociodemographic characteristics, level of knowledge of MCI/AD, global cognition, and neuropsychological tests of language and executive functioning. Dyadic analyses were conducted with data from 82 dyads of persons with MCI and care providers using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model to assess for presence of actor and partner effects among key variables. Capacity to consent scores demonstrated sufficient capacity for all participants to consent to the study. For persons with MCI, lower age, higher mental status scores, MCI/AD knowledge scores, and better performance on measures of language and executive functioning were predictors of decisional capacity. The model revealed positive actor relations for MCI/AD knowledge with decisional capacity for both persons with MCI and family care partners and negative partner relationships for family care partners MCI/AD knowledge with the decisional capacity of persons with MCI. Assessment of decisional capacity is imperative when considering participation in AD research, including studies with high-stakes procedures like biomarker results disclosure. Our findings highlight that not only do individual characteristics put persons with MCI at risk for lower decisional capacity, but dyadic effects from family care partners may also be present.

Analysis of the matching effectiveness of vocational training for the unemployed: Evidence from the Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea is in urgent need of vocational training to mitigate high levels of skill mismatch. This article studies the largely unexplored impact of vocational training on skill mismatch using administrative vocational training data (HRD‐Net, 2016‐19). We consider skill‐matched employment rates (as opposed to the conventional employment rate), applying a fixed effects model to analyse their determinants. Our analysis of training course and individual characteristics as major variables indicates that training time has a significantly greater positive effect on skill‐matched employment rates than on the conventional employment rate, but that the opposite is true of individual characteristics.

Understanding the dynamics of household enterprises in Egypt: Birth, death, growth and transformation

Despite the importance of household enterprises in employment in developing economies, little is known about their creation, survival and growth. This article examines the dynamics of household enterprises, using panel data for the period 1998–2018 in Egypt. The analysis explores the individual, household and enterprise characteristics that contribute to these dynamics. The findings show that high rates of enterprise creation and closure in the household enterprise sector drive employment, more so than dynamics of growth in existing enterprises. Household enterprises may be a fallback or survival strategy for less educated and less privileged workers, but may also provide an opportunity for accumulating wealth.

Divergent hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic responses to the components of evening meals. A general adult population study in individuals without diabetes (AEGIS study)

Few real-life studies have analyzed the glycemic response to nutrients in individuals without diabetes. We investigated the glycemic response to evening meals in relation to individual characteristics, nutrient components, and preprandial and postprandial routines. A cross-sectional study of 489 individuals without diabetes from a randomly selected general adult population (310 women, median age 46 years, range 18-84 years) was conducted using a continuous glucose monitoring device for 7 days. The study recorded the participants' glycemic profile at 6h after dinner, the food consumed at dinner, the fasting duration before dinner, and the duration between the end of dinner and going to bed. Principal component analysis and multilevel functional data analysis were used to interpret the data. On average, a postprandial glycemic peak was observed at 45min, followed by a decline to baseline levels from 90min onwards. Older age, higher body mass index, and large meals (especially those high in starch and dairy products) were all significantly associated with higher glucose levels throughout the 6h after dinner. The fruit component was associated with a higher initial glycemic peak, followed by a lowering glycemic effect thereafter (p<0.001). The alcohol component was associated with an initial hypoglycemic effect (p=0.006). The participants who fasted longer before dinner had higher postprandial glycemic peaks (p=0.001), and those who went to bed later had higher postprandial glucose levels than those who went to bed earlier (p=0.003). The participants' characteristics, nutrient components, and pre- and post-dinner routines have divergent effects on post-dinner glycemic response.

Determinants of Work Fatigue in Inpatient Nurses at RSI Siti Hajar Sidoarjo

Introduction: Nurses are an important part of patient care so they are often required to provide optimal service which sometimes causes fatigue. With different individual characteristics of each worker such as age and physical condition of workers and job characteristics such as length of service and duration of work, it is possible to experience fatigue at different levels of fatigue. Objective: To determine the relationship between age, work period, and work shifts with work fatigue in inpatient nurses at RSI Siti Hajar Sidoarjo and identify the relationship between age with work fatigue, work period with work fatigue, work shifts with work fatigue in inpatient nurses at RSI Siti Hajar Sidoarjo. Method: This type of research is quantitative with random sampling technique. Data collectin was carried out with IFRC (Industrial Fatigue Research Committee) questionnaire instrument on 125 inpatient nurses at RSI Siti Hajar Sidoarjo. The bivariate analysis process is carried out by testing the data with the SPSS program using the Spearman Rank Correlation test. Result: The majority of inpatient nurses who have the potential to work fatigue are ?35 years old, had worked for ?5 years, working on the morning shift, experienced low fatigue and the majority of nurses felt thirsty, wanted to lay down after work, often yawned, sleepy, and tired all over. Based on the hypothesis test, between age and fatigue was obtained sig. 0.002 &lt; 0.05, between tenure and fatigue obtained sig. 0.001 &lt; 0.05, and between work shifts and work fatigue obtained sig. 0.032 &lt; 0.05. Conclusion: There is a relationship between age, length of service, work shifts with work fatigue in inpatient nurses at RSI Siti Hajar Sidoarjo.

Sounding out voice biometrics: Comparing and contrasting how the state and the private sector determine identity through voice

The voice biometrics industry is promised today as a new center of digital innovation. Tech companies and state agencies are massively investing in speech recognition and analysis systems, pushed by the belief that the acoustics of voice contain unique individual characteristics to convert into information and value through artificial intelligence. This article responds to this current development by exploring the under-researched datafication of the auditory realm to reveal how the sound of voice is emerging as a site for identity construction by both states and corporations. To do so, we look at two different case studies. First, we examine a patent granted to the streaming service Spotify, which aims to improve the platform's music recommendation system by analyzing users’ speech. Second, we discuss the use of voice biometrics in German asylum procedures, where the country of origin of undocumented asylum seekers is determined through accent analysis. Through these seemingly distinct case studies, we identify not only the common assumptions behind the rationale for adopting voice biometrics, but also important differences in the way the private sector and the State determine identity through the analysis of the sounding voice. These two entities are rarely examined together and are often conflated when addressing practices of auditory surveillance. Thus, our comparative and contrastive approach contributes to existing scholarship that questions the claimed efficiency and ethics of voice biometrics’ extractive practices, further defining the operations and assumptions of the private sector and the State.

Profiling feedback antecedents in higher education students: a person-oriented perspective

The ability to give, receive and process feedback is essential for higher education students not only during their studies, but also for their future work life. Despite the extensive amount of research on feedback in education, there is limited research on feedback skills as collaborative skills and on what might influence these skills. Through surveying a large sample of 2,907 university students who worked in self-managed project teams, this study explores how individual characteristics as antecedents relate to students’ perceived feedback skills. We use a person-oriented approach to examine how these antecedents relate within students and how these profiles relate to perceived feedback skills. In addition to reliability, confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the structural validity of a newly developed feedback skills instrument. Five scales were used from existing feedback instruments as antecedents of feedback skills, and these were also found to be valid and reliable. Through a person-oriented approach, we applied a hierarchical and a k-means cluster analysis to create student profiles or groups based on feedback antecedents. We identified five distinct groups of students with common feedback antecedents. The results indicate that the five groups also had different levels of perceived feedback skills. The study contributes to the limited research on the dynamics of giving and receiving feedback from the perspective of students in the context of collaborative learning. It has implications for researchers and practitioners to better understand individual differences and to consider these differences when designing collaborative learning activities and facilitating student teams.

Silicon caregivers: a multilevel analysis of European perspectives on robotic technologies for elderly care

ABSTRACT As populations age, women's workforce participation grows and AI advances, understanding attitudes towards care technologies becomes increasingly important. This study examines attitudes towards robot caregivers for older adults across 28 European countries, using 2017 Eurobarometer data from working-age adults (20–59; n = 13,839). We investigate how individual characteristics (gender, education, occupation) and local-level factors (GDP, female labour participation, over 65s as % of the population, spending on old age) are associated with comfort levels with domestic care robots. The results show that men, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment, and those in professional or managerial occupations report greater comfort with robot caregivers. Additionally, local context plays a significant role. Those living in local communities with higher female employment rates and lower spending on old-age support demonstrate higher acceptance of robotic care solutions. These findings highlight the dual influence of individual and community factors in shaping attitudes towards automated care technologies.

Internet-based treatment for provoked vulvodynia: factors associated with treatment outcomes

Abstract Introduction Previous research has indicated that internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can reduce pain during intercourse and increase pain acceptance in individuals with provoked vulvodynia, but the factors associated with treatment outcomes remain unknown. Aim This study aimed to investigate factors associated with changes in pain acceptance following an internet treatment based on ACT. Methods This exploratory study used data from the EMBLA study, a multicenter randomized controlled trial that investigated the effects of internet-based ACT for provoked vulvodynia. The examined factors included sociodemographics, medical history, pain and sexual behavior, and psychosocial characteristics. Linear regression analysis was employed to assess the association of these factors with pain acceptance, including interaction effects. Results were adjusted for multiple testing using Bonferroni correction. Outcomes The outcome measure was pain acceptance assessed on the scale Chronic Pain Questionnaire–Revised, which comprises two sub-scales: activity engagement and pain willingness. Results Before adjustment, greater improvement in overall pain acceptance and the subscale activity engagement was seen participants in the intervention group who had a history of physical violence or sexual assault. Increased time spent on the treatment platform per week was also associated with greater improvement in pain acceptance. Participants who reported gastrointestinal problems before the internet-based treatment showed better treatment outcomes in activity engagement. Previous contact with a psychologist or counselor was associated with less improvement in activity engagement. The intervention was less effective on the subscale pain willingness with increased age and for those reporting urinary problems. No associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Clinical implications Previous exposure to violence and sexual assault, concomitant gastrointestinal or urinary problems, and adherence to treatment should be further investigated in larger studies on factors associated with treatment outcomes after internet treatment based on ACT, especially regarding pain. Strengths and limitations This was a novel and exploratory study and provides information for researchers in future investigations of how individual characteristics may influence treatment outcomes. A range of variables were explored in the models, underscoring the importance of future studies to strengthen the findings. One limitation concerns the sample size, which was fairly small considering the nature of the study. Conclusion After correcting for multiple testing, no factors were found to be statistically associated with changes in pain acceptance after the treatment.

Is driving an electric two-wheeler (E2W) safe? Analysing safety risk factors of E2W considering the quality and reliability criteria

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to identify and analyse the perceived risk factors affecting the safety of electric two-wheeler (E2W) riders in urban areas. Given the exponential growth of the global E2W market and the notable challenges offered by E2W vehicles as compared to electric cars, the study aims to propose a managerial framework, to increase the penetration of E2W in the emerging market, as a reliable, and sustainable mobility alternative.Design/methodology/approachThe perceived risk factors of riding E2Ws are relatively scanty, especially in the context of emerging economies. A mixed-method research design is adopted to achieve the research objectives. Four expert groups are interviewed to identify crucial safety risk E2W factors. The grey-Delphi technique is used to confirm the applicability of the extracted risk factors in the Indian context. Next, the Grey-Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is employed to reveal the causal-prominence relationship among the perceived risk factors. The dominance and prominence scores are used to perform Cause and Effect analysis and estimate the triggering risk factors.FindingsThe finding of the study suggests that reckless adventurism, adverse road conditions, individual characteristics and distraction caused by using mobile phones, as the topmost triggering risk factors that impact the safety of E2Ws drivers. Similarly, reliability on battery performance low velocity and heavy traffic conditions are found to be some of the critical safety factors.Practical implicationsE2Ws are anticipated to represent the future of sustainable mobility in emerging nations. While they provide convenient and quick transportation for daily urban commutes, certain risk factors are contributing to increased accident rates. This research analyses these risk factors to offer a comprehensive view of driver and rider safety. Unlike conventional measures, it considers subjective quality and reliability parameters, such as battery performance and reckless adventurism. Identifying the most significant causal risk factors helps policymakers focus on the most prominent issues, thereby enhancing the adoption of E2Ws in emerging markets.Originality/valueWe have proposed an integrated framework that uses grey theory with Delphi and DEMATEL to analyse the safety risk factors of driving E2W vehicles considering the uncertainty. In addition, the amalgamation of Delphi and DEMATEL helps not only to identify the pertinent safety risk factors, but also bifurcate them into cause-and-effect groups considering the mutual relationship between them. The framework will enable practitioners and policymakers to design preventive strategies to minimize risk and boost the penetration of E2Ws in an emerging country, like India.

Accounting for baseline individual and site characteristics when estimating recreational demand for specialized activities

This article develops a demand model of recreational steelhead fishing to estimate how changes in catch rates and the percentage of catch of wild (vs. hatchery) origin influence angler welfare. Demand models of recreational fishing often rely on discrete choice experiments that are centered on the overall average attribute levels experienced within a fishery. In contrast, many recreational fisheries are characterized by heterogeneous anglers facing heterogeneous consideration sets and attribute levels experienced at given sites. Within the context of the steelhead fishery of Washington State, USA, we conducted a discrete choice experiment that closely mirrored the actual levels of catch rates experienced and locations used by individuals. The experiment varied catch rates and the percentage of steelhead that were of wild (vs. hatchery) origin. Estimated mean willingness-to-pay for a change in catch rates was an order of magnitude larger than mean willingness-to-pay for proportional changes in the percent of steelhead catch that was wild, indicating that catch rates were the primary determinant of behavior. The effects of both attributes depended on the catch- and location-specific baselines experienced by anglers.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding dengue vaccine: a baseline study of community members and health providers in Indonesia.

Despite recent behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the burden of dengue, persistent unfavorable related behaviors in the Indonesian community suggest that vaccination could be effective. However, before this is implemented nationally, public perception and acceptance of the vaccine should be assessed in addition to health providers' points of view. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of community members and health providers in Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six districts of three Indonesian provinces. Respondents included both community members and health providers living within the territory of the selected primary health care centers. Pretested questionnaires were used to gather information on the sociodemographic characteristics and KAPs regarding dengue vaccines. An independent t-test was performed to compare the mean KAP scores between community members and health providers, while a logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors in each domain. Only 18.5% of health providers possessed high knowledge of the dengue vaccine versus only 12.5% of community members. Approximately one-third of the health providers versus one-fourth of community members displayed a high to moderate score for attitudes about dengue vaccines. Dengue vaccination practices demonstrated a more favorable score for both health providers and community members at 59.1% and 41.1%, respectively. No individual sociodemographic characteristics were associated with KAPs; rather, only education was correlated with better dengue vaccination practices. We also found that good knowledge of dengue was the only factor associated with all domains. Our findings highlight the urgent need to deliver educational interventions to health providers and community members in Indonesia to improve their awareness of dengue vaccines.