Consumption Levels Research Articles

Parental Influences on Substance Use Among First-Year College Students: A Latent Profile Analysis and Racial/Ethnic Differences

This study took a person-centered approach to examine parental influences on alcohol and cannabis use among White and Hispanic/Latinx college students. 704 college students (74.4% female; 34.7% Hispanic/Latinx) completed an online survey. Latent profile analysis identified four parenting profiles characterized by different patterns of perceived parent-child relationship quality, parental monitoring, and parental disapproval of substance use: low disapproval (4.1%), low paternal quality and monitoring (25.8%), low quality and monitoring (12.5%), and high quality monitoring and disapproval (57.6%). Students in the High Quality Monitoring and Disapproval profile had the lowest levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms. Students in the Low Disapproval profile had the highest frequency of cannabis use than students in other parenting profiles. Among Hispanic/Latinx students only, the High-Quality Monitoring and Disapproval profile was associated with fewer AUD symptoms compared to the Low Paternal Quality and Monitoring profile and the Low Quality and Monitoring profile.

A Capability Indicator for Family Farms in the Global North – Concept and Test from Switzerland

ABSTRACT Amartya Sen’s capability approach suggests assessing people’s well-being by examining whether they are able to do and be what they value, instead of merely looking at their income. People’s well-being is the basic theme of social sustainability. This study intends to operationalise social sustainability by developing a capability indicator for family farms in the Global North. Therefore, this study develops a conceptual approach that was tested through a sample of 555 Swiss fruit and vegetable farm managers. The managers were asked four questions on consumption options and six questions on decision making on their farms, and answers were aggregated in two different ways: first, simply by summing up the response values, and second, by weighting the response values based on their regressors to explain the probability of the farm being taken over. The data were analysed descriptively regarding correlations between the questions and by an ordered logit analysis. The results indicated that both the simple and the weighed capability indicators were good predictors of the perception of whether the farm would be taken over by the next generation and thus of an aspect of social sustainability. This implies that, for example, policy measures to reduce the environmental impacts of farming have a negative side effect that may have been underestimated so far, as they reduce the capability of the farm managers. The capability of farmers at both production and consumption levels is relevant to their well-being.

Strategic Cost Control and Management in Corporations

In today's new situation and new state of affairs, the modernization of society with the gradual development of information technology, with people's consumption level, medical level of life gradually improve the pursuit of culture is more and more diversified, information is more and more prosperous. Various industries and fields have begun a new class of more intense competition, they are not limited to business competition, but need to go from the root of the reasonable integrated planning, in order to put more favorable funds into the follow-up input and important links, so in the current situation to form a good enterprise cost management control is critical to determine the development of the enterprise. This paper will discuss the importance of enterprise cost management control through the four different industries of enterprises according to their characteristics, and provide a certain exploration program, expound the relevant theories of enterprise cost management control, and combined with the status quo to give the basic measures.

The use of aquatic bioresources as a factor in ensuring Ukraine’s food security: legal aspects

The article is dedicated to the study of the legal aspects of using aquatic bioresources in Ukraine and the impact of their usage on ensuring the country’s food security. It is argued that the issue of proper legal regulation of the use of aquatic bioresources is becoming increasingly relevant today. Attention is given to both legislative and scientific approaches to the issue of legal regulation of Ukraine’s food security. The necessity of adopting a separate law titled «On the Fundamentals of Food Security of Ukraine» is emphasized. It is noted that the state’s food policy should aim for the highest degree of self-sufficiency, as the quality and quantity of consumed food products directly impact the nation’s health, life expectancy, work capacity, and intellectual potential. The article examines the legal grounds for the usage of aquatic bioresources. The impact of the fishing industry on ensuring Ukraine’s food security is analyzed, with the conclusion drawn that the country’s food security largely depends on the state of aquatic bioresource usage. The level of fish consumption and its processed products serves as an indicator of the population’s food security, which should be maintained at a level conducive to physiological needs. It is stressed that the development of the fishing industry is one of the most important tasks for ensuring the post-war recovery of the country. The article identifies aquatic bioresources as a strategic state food reserve in the current context. The artificial reproduction of valuable fish species is aimed at both supporting aquatic ecosystems and building industrial stocks. The author asserts that today, food security is a condition for maintaining the state’s sovereignty, supporting high levels of public health, and developing the country’s economy. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the use of aquatic bioresources is crucial for the country in terms of ensuring food security, improving economic conditions, saturating the domestic market with quality food products, increasing employment and welfare, as well as preserving biodiversity and effectively using water and hydrobiological resources.

Research on energy utilization of electron beam melting for silicon purification

As a key material for solar photovoltaic power generation, the purity of silicon plays a crucial role in the photovoltaic conversion efficiency and performance. The electron beam melting (EBM), which is irreplaceable metallurgical methods, has been widely used for silicon purification. However, high energy consumption result in relatively high cost, which limits its widespread application in melting industry. This study was centered on the energy distribution that proposes a new approach to reducing energy consumption during EBM. The scanning form of electron beam is most important factor concerning energy consumption. Different scanning forms can affect the characteristics of molten pool which is closely correlated with the purification process. In this study, efficient and energy-saving preparation processes of EBM are being explored through the numerical model and experimental. The relationship of energy distribution form and purification efficiency is studied. The research results indicate that electron beam scanning under uniform distribution can achieve more uniform temperature and flow field distribution in the molten pool, which has a higher energy utilization rate during silicon purification by EBM. The mathematical model established in this study can effectively predict the energy consumption level under different melting parameters, providing important reference for the optimization and energy conservation of EBM process for other materials. In addition, evaporation characteristics of volatile impurity, migration of the second phase particles in the melt, controlling of melt pool characteristics and the crystal growth control all can be conducted based on this study.

Can E-Commerce Policies Drive Common Wealth Levels —— A Study Based on County-Level Data in China, 2012-2020

Based on national county panel data from 2012 to 2020, this study systematically examines the impact of the comprehensive e-commerce into rural areas demonstration project implemented in rural China on promoting the level of common wealth by applying the multi-period double-difference method (DID). It is found that the e-commerce policy significantly enhances the level of common wealth. Further analysis of the impact mechanism shows that the policy effectively promotes the goal of common prosperity by enhancing the level of rural employment. In addition, the positive effect of the e-commerce policy is strengthened by the increase in the level of local government fiscal expenditure, however, the driving effect of the policy is weakened by the higher level of social consumption. Heterogeneity analyses indicate that the policy's promotional effect is particularly significant in the demonstration counties of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. This paper fills the research gap on the relationship between rural e-commerce policy and the level of common wealth, and provides empirical evidence and policy recommendations for related policy formulation.

Barriers and Facilitators to Mental Health Service Integration: A Scoping Review.

Mental health service integration currently has no consensus definition and exists in a variety of settings, including primary care, addiction treatment and chronic disease management, and mental health nurses have often experienced efforts at service integration with varying degrees of success. The intent of mental health service integration is to enable collaboration between mental health services and other healthcare providers to improve service access and the care provided to individuals with mental health issues or mental illness. This scoping review aimed to explore service integration between mental health services and with a specific focus on those evaluated in peer-reviewed, primary literature, to determine facilitators and barriers to service integration. Using the Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews, we located 3148 studies, with screening narrowing final papers for inclusion to 18. Facilitators to service integration included clinician education, adequate resourcing and an interdisciplinary approach, while barriers included staff factors such as a reluctance to work with individuals with mental illness, consumer level barriers such as poor mental health literacy, 'territorialism' among staff and organisational climate. Research indicates that service integration is an effective means to detect and treat mental health issues in settings that do not traditionally provide mental health care, lowering the costs of providing healthcare and providing improved care for mental health needs; however, there are several barriers to be addressed to achieve full implementation of integration models.

Understanding consumption and purchase of tap water and diverse tap-alternative drinking water sources in Detroit, Michigan

ABSTRACT Several gaps remain in understanding individuals' water consumption reliance outcomes in disadvantaged communities. We utilize a cross-sectional sample of household-level survey data from predominantly low-income, minoritized households in Detroit, MI, to examine the relationship between tap and tap-alternative drinking water consumption and purchase behavior. We collected survey data from one English-speaking adult per household in May–October 2021 (n = 259). Consistent with past studies, tap water consumption is negatively correlated with single-use bottled water consumption and consuming drinking water from multiple sources. We also find tap distrust is correlated with tap-alternative water consumption, yet there is a surprising positive relationship between tap and overall bottled water consumption levels. Very low-income households were more likely to rely on bottled water and multiple other water sources simultaneously. Female respondents reported lower levels of most types of water consumption. Black respondents reported lower tap water and bottled water consumption but had higher levels of other tap-alternative source consumption. Our results call into question whether higher tap water consumption is synonymous with tap trust or with reduced bottled water consumption. Public health interventions must further address high levels of bottled water consumption among low-income individuals, and low tap water consumption among Black individuals.

The impact of green trade barriers on China’s photovoltaic products exports to ASEAN

In the context of the global push towards a green economy, this research investigates the impact of green trade barriers on the export trade volume of Chinese photovoltaic products to ASEAN from 2010 to 2021. The strong evidence indicates that green trade barriers have a positive effect on improving the export trade volume of Chinese photovoltaic products to ASEAN. This conclusion remains robust through multiple robustness tests, including excluding data from pandemic-affected years and the only developed country Singapore. Moreover, the impact of green trade barriers varies with exchange rate levels and language environments. In countries with higher exchange rates and countries with different official languages, the positive effect of green trade barriers on trade is more significant. In contrast, in countries with the same official language, green trade barriers have a negative effect on improving the trade volume. Additionally, higher levels of renewable energy consumption diminish the beneficial effect of TBT on photovoltaic trade, and CO2 emissions lessen the detrimental effect of TBT on photovoltaic trade. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, suggesting that align with international standards, provide differentiated technical assistance and adopt transparent trade rules when formulating green trade barriers to better support the competitiveness and export growth of Chinese photovoltaic products in the international market.

Post-retirement employment behavior and older people’s expenditure: New evidence from urban China

Abstract Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this research investigates how post-retirement employment influences older people’s expenditure in urban China. By broadening the understanding of post-retirement employment behaviour from a consumer welfare perspective, this study expands the literature on retirement consumption and provides theoretical explanations, empirical insights and policy recommendations. The findings reveal that post-retirement employment behaviour reduces urban retirees’ household expenditure and has a more significant effect on men than on women, but this effect diminishes as consumption levels rise. Increasing income, promoting social participation and improving subjective health outcomes are all potential channels through which post-retirement employment can affect consumption. Further analysis shows two main reasons why post-retirement employment reduces older people’s expenditure: first, the increase in subjective health levels resulting from post-retirement employment reduces healthcare expenditure; second, post-retirement employment does not promote social participation and self-rated health for all consumption levels and all genders of retirees – it also decreases expenditure. Preliminary evidence suggests that internet use positively moderates the negative impact of post-retirement employment on older people’s expenditure. These findings provide policy implications for retirement policies and the promotion of the silver economy.

Healthy eating behaviors and food consumption frequencies of retail workers.

Retail workers comprise millions of people, but little is known about their eating behaviors and food consumption patterns. To examine the healthy eating behaviors and food consumption frequencies of retail workers in shopping malls. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 385 retail employees working in ready-made garment stores of shopping malls in Istanbul (42% of those eligible). A descriptive information form, the nutrition subscale of the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), and the Food Consumption Frequency Survey were used as data collection tools. It was determined that more than half of the participants skipped breakfast and other meals and consumed fast food and packaged and acidic drinks five to six days a week. The mean score of the participants on the HPLP-nutrition subscale was determined to be 11.79±3.29. The retail workers in shopping malls were found to have insufficient healthy eating behaviors, a low frequency of healthy food consumption, and a high level of fast-food consumption. Maintaining healthy eating habits is crucial for the health of employees. It is necessary for workplaces to take steps to help their employees become aware of and practice healthy eating. Workplaces should also be encouraged to provide healthy food options for their employees.

Dietary patterns related to attention and physiological function in high-altitude migrants.

High altitude exposure negatively affects human attentional function. However, no studies have explored the regulation of attentional and physiological functions from a dietary perspective. A total of 116 Han Chinese students from Tibet University who were born and raised in a plain area and had been living in Tibet for > 2 years were recruited. All participants were male migrants. A food frequency questionnaire, complete blood count, and attention network test were performed on the participants. Pearson's correlation was applied to assess the reliability and validity of the food frequency questionnaire. Principal component analysis was utilized to extract dietary patterns. A linear mixed model was employed to account for individual differences. The results showed that the five main dietary patterns were coarse grain, alcohol, meat, protein, and snacking dietary patterns. Furthermore, individuals who adhered to the coarse grain dietary pattern and had high mean corpuscular hemoglobin showed better attentional performance. Individuals with high alcohol consumption and systemic immune-inflammation index levels exhibited worse attentional performance. These findings imply that high-altitude migrants should include more coarse grains in their daily diet and avoid excessive alcohol consumption to improve attention.

Ultra-processed foods and type 2 diabetes mellitus incidence in RaNCD project: a prospective cohort study.

Following rapid population growth and urbanization, global ultra-processed food consumption levels have increased. Additionally, type 2 diabetes mellitus, a non-communicable disease, is affecting one-tenth of the people worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in different scenarios in a prospective cohort study in the western part of Iran. The RaNCD cohort includes 10,047 participants aged 35 to 65; we included participants susceptible to diabetes at enrolment with follow-up data. We used the widely accepted Nova classification to define ultra-processed foods. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used as the main model; furthermore, the Cox model with different adjustments and the logistic regression model were used as sensitive analysis to evaluate the association between ultra-processed foods consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 8827 participants with a mean age of 46.92y, a mean follow-up time of 7.1y, and a mean daily ultra-processed food intake of 87.69g were included. During the follow-up phases, we included 255 incidences of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases. After adjusting for confounders in the primary model, including age, gender, residence type, socioeconomic status, physical activity, body mass index, and familial history of diabetes despite the elevated hazard ratio of 1.08 (0.75, 1.55) in the fourth quartile compared to the first quartile, the P-value was insignificant (p-value = 0.665); p for trend in the UPF quartiles was also insignificant. Our study has shed light on the association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, further investigations are necessary to confirm or refute the UPFs/T2DM association.

Trends of fully alcohol-attributable mortality rates before and during COVID-19 in the Baltic and other European countries.

We tested the polarization hypothesis, which postulates that during times of crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption increases among the heaviest drinkers but decreases among most other drinkers, resulting in an overall decrease in consumption among the population. We posited the increase in heavy drinking would lead to increases in 100% alcohol-attributable (AA) mortality. Furthermore, based on the high level of alcohol consumption in the Baltic countries compared to other European countries, we predicted that the increases in AA mortality would be more pronounced in these countries. Data for 100% AA deaths were obtained from the World Health Organization for the period 2010 to 2022, and standardized to the regional age distribution for 2010. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to test the study hypotheses. The mean age-standardized 100% AA mortality rate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in the 19 European countries with data by 3.12 deaths per 100,000 population, constituting an 18% increase (tested against no change: t = 2.52; df = 18; p = 0.021). This increase was higher in the Baltic countries (mean difference = 13.41 deaths per 100,000 population; standard deviation (SD) = 7.44; 46% increase) than for other European countries (mean difference = 1.19; SD = 1.55; 8% increase). The increases in 100% AA mortality were associated with decreases in the level of alcohol consumption in the majority of countries. As predicted, 100% AA mortality increased in 19 European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Baltic countries seeing a higher increase. Renewed alcohol control policy efforts should be considered.

Evaluation of a Workplace Diabetes Prevention Program Delivered via Distance Learning: A Qualitative Study.

Little is known about how distance learning impacts delivery of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) despite a rapid shift to this platform during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. We explored how a workplace DPP, delivered via distance learning, impacted knowledge, motivation, and behavioral skills of participants throughout the program. We conducted repeated qualitative interviews with distance learning participants at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months from September 2020 to July 2022. Three study team members coded interview data using individual responses as the unit of analysis. We used a thematic approach, using the information-motivation-behavioral skills framework, to analyze responses and generate understanding of the program's impact. The 27 individuals who participated in the interviews (89% women, mean age 56 years) reported the distance learning platform was effective in changing their behavior. The program's focus on food logging and setting limits on specific types of caloric intake was perceived as essential. Education on ideal levels of fat and sugar consumption, lessons on how to read food labels, and dissemination of recipes with healthy food substitutions allowed participants to initiate and sustain healthy decision-making. Strategies to increase physical activity, including breaking up exercise throughout the day, made reaching their goals more feasible. Participants reported food logging and weight reporting, as well as group support during sessions, either sustained or increased their motivation to adhere to the program over time. A workplace DPP delivered via distance learning successfully prompted improvements in the knowledge, motivation, and behavioral skills necessary to increase healthy eating and physical activity among participants.

Uptake of biosimilars in China: a retrospective analysis of the case of trastuzumab from 2018 to 2023

BackgroundThe Chinese biosimilar industry has demonstrated rapid growth in recent years. Limited evidence is available about biosimilar uptake at the national level. This study aimed to assess biosimilar uptake in the case of trastuzumab and to explore potential factors influencing the biosimilar penetration at national and provincial levels.MethodsThis study employed an interrupted time series analysis to assess the level and trend changes of national trastuzumab originator consumption and the overall trastuzumab consumption after the price reduction of the originator and the introduction of the first biosimilar using the China Hospital Pharmacy Audit procurement data from March 2018 to February 2023. A latent class trajectory model (LCTM) was also adopted to estimate the biosimilar penetration across 30 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs). Based on the LCTM grouping results, provincial characteristics were analyzed.ResultsAfter rapid growth, the penetration of biosimilars demonstrated a moderate ascending trend at the national level, reaching 27% in February 2023. Following the introduction of the first biosimilar in July 2021, the consumption of the originator decreased by 0.5% per month (P = 0.008), and the growth rate of overall trastuzumab consumption decreased by 1.1% per month (P = 0.014). LCTM fit the best when the number of trajectory classes was two, dividing 30 PLADs into a group demonstrating a faster increase in biosimilar penetration and the other with a slower increase. The PLADs in the fast-increasing group had a higher proportion of the population covered by the national basic health insurance, a lower proportion of the urban population, a lower proportion of the population covered by the urban employee health insurance program, a lower gross domestic product per capita, a lower total health expenditure per capita, and a lower out-of-pocket expenditure.ConclusionsThe uptake of trastuzumab biosimilars in China was lower compared with major European countries. The introduction of trastuzumab biosimilars presented a substitutional effect. Perceptions of physicians and patients, the medicines procurement model, competition from other biologics, and health insurance payment methods may influence biosimilar uptake. Enhancing a comprehensive understanding of biosimilars among physicians and patients, including biologics with biosimilars in the national pooled procurement, and implementing provider payment reforms could foster biosimilar penetration.

Synthesis, Properties, and Techno-economic Analysis of Highly Stable Biotransformer Oil Derived from Transesterification of Palm Oil Methyl Esters and Ditrimethylolpropane.

Currently, biotransformer oil (BTO) is in high demand due to the increasing level of electrical power consumption and environmental policy. Hence, this research aimed to prepare a highly stable BTO via basic transesterification of palm oil methyl ester (POME) and ditrimethylolpropane (Di-TMP) catalyzed by sodium methoxide (NaOCH3). Under the optimal conditions (POME/Di-TMP molar ratio = 5.0/1.0, NaOCH3 loading = 8 mol % based on the Di-TMP content under 3.5 mbar, and 300 rpm at 160 °C for 2 h), the POME conversion level and POME-Di-TMPTTE selectivity reached 90.3% and 96.6%, respectively. The obtained BTO with a high POME-Di-TMPTTE portion exhibited greater oxidation stability with a higher flash point and breakdown voltage in accordance with the IEC 62770 specification. A techno-economic analysis revealed the possibility of POME-Di-TMPTTE as a commercial BTO for its competitive cost and profit based on the current commercial price of BTO.

Unraveling the closet: Exploring reflective decluttering and its implications for long-term sufficient clothing consumption

The growing trend of decluttering has spurred many consumers to streamline their wardrobes by removing excess garments. However, garment decluttering has not received much attention in the academic research. This study employs a mixed methods approach to explore how reflective garment decluttering can be related to sufficient clothing consumption by investigating 1) consumers’ motivations to declutter and the methods used, 2) the influence of reflective decluttering on consumers' perceptions of their clothing items and consumption habits, and 3) the impact of reflective decluttering on long-term clothing acquisition and strategies for maintaining sufficient clothing consumption. Qualitative analysis reveals that motivations for decluttering include reducing garment over-ownership, creating space, and finding emotional relief. Participants gained insights into the value of their garments, their reasons for possession, and their consumption habits, helping them establish future consumption goals. Quantitative findings from a longitudinal survey add to the qualitative insights by showing that reflective decluttering was associated with reduced clothing acquisition, although a slight rebound occurred after six months. The qualitative findings also reveal strategies including conscious shopping and extending garment life cycles that reduce consumption levels and promote sufficiency-oriented practices over time.

Household demand for community- and rooftop-solar electricity: conceptual and numerical assessments

ABSTRACT This paper characterizes the trade-offs faced by households in deciding how much solar power to produce privately on their rooftops or to subscribe to in a community solar project (or, ‘green electricity plan’), and how these trade-offs are influenced by a regulator's pricing scheme. We characterize a model where representative households choose their rooftop and community-solar consumption levels and respond to the regulator's scheme. Within the model's conceptual and numerical frameworks, we derive a suite of household comparative static effects and explore four key implications pertinent to the growth of rooftop and community solar within a given community: (1) the extent to which the regulator must adjust its pricing scheme to achieve a community-wide solar electricity standard, (2) the potential of a ‘death spiral’ experienced by the regulator, (3) the effect of a ‘solar tax’ levied by the regulator on the production of solar electricity by rooftop-solar households, and (4) adoption of ‘behind-the-meter’ battery storage by rooftop-solar households. We obtain both analytical and numerical results for each of these implications, enabling us to better understand the underlying conditions governing a representative household's responses to incentives provided by a regulator, and the social implications of these responses.

Association between serum level of uric acid in Japanese young patients with coronary spastic angina receiving coronary angiography.

Endothelial dysfunction may trigger coronary spastic angina (CSA). However, the risk factors for CSA in young patients remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the age-dependent role of serum uric acid levels in patients with CSA. We enrolled 423 patients who underwent an ergonovine tolerance test during coronary angiography for the CSA evaluation. We categorized the patients as (1) young (age ≤ 65years) CSA-positive (n = 33), (2) young CSA-negative (n = 138), (3) elderly (age > 66years) CSA-positive (n = 42), and (4) elderly CSA-negative (n = 210) groups. In the young groups, the smoker proportion (57.6 vs. 38.4%, p = 0.04) and serum uric acid levels (6.3 ± 1.4 vs. 5.4 ± 1.5mg/dl, p = 0.006) were significantly higher in the CSA-positive compared with the CSA-negative group. Conversely, in the elderly group, the male proportion (66.6 vs. 47.1%, p = 0.02) and alcohol consumption level (40.5 vs. 21.0%, p = 0.01) were significantly higher in the CSA-positive compared with the CSA-negative group. The multivariate analysis in young groups revealed the independent association between the serum uric acid level (p = 0.02) and the presence of CSA. Our results indicate that elevated serum uric acid levels may affect CSA development in young patients.