Location Of Region Research Articles

India and the Indo-Pacific in the Post-Pandemic World Order

Indo-Pacific is a geopolitical construct that combines the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, representing the new strategic reality of the twenty-first century. Indo-Pacific is also considered significant for countries as it is a strategic and economic domain with a critical role in maritime security and cooperation. With a strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, India is now a theatre of opportunity to increase its role regionally and globally. The Indian Ocean carries 90 per cent of India’s trade and its energy sources, and nearly 50 per cent of India’s trade is centred in the IndoPacific region. India’s relations with incredible powers, island nations, and smaller littoral states will significantly shape India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Increasing non-traditional threats and growing challenges from rising China are significant drivers of India’s policy options in the post-pandemic world. India’s soft power diplomacy and bilateral and multilateral partnerships in the region continue to be decisive factors for security and balance of power in the post-pandemic scenario. Thus, the geo-strategic environment of the Indo-Pacific in the post-pandemic era is crucial for India and the countries in the Indo-Pacific region as a whole for their growth, development, and security. Thus, this paper explores India’s crucial role in ensuring the security and equilibrium of the post-pandemic Indo-Pacific through a comprehensive analysis of its strategic initiatives and regional dynamics.

MITIGATION OF FOOD INSECURITY IN ETHIOPIA: PERSONAL, HOUSEHOLD, AND REGIONAL DETERMINANTS

Food insecurity has plagued Ethiopia for decades. The objective of this study is determining which personal attributes, household features, income-generating undertakings, and regional location change the food insecurity of Ethiopian households updating past studies. Furthermore, the study quantifies the probability changes in a household being food insecure in response to changes in personal attributes, household features, income-generating undertakings, and regional location. The data from the 2021/2022 Ethiopian Rural Socioeconomic Survey have been applied to estimate coefficients using the logit technique and calculate the effects of explanatory variables. Results show that being a male household head, education, having non-farm enterprise, and access to electricity lower the likelihood of a household being food insecure. In contrast, the likelihood of being food insecure has been associated with the region where a household was located, or dependence on raising livestock. The regional discrepancies have been substantial. Broadening access to education, stimulating non-farm enterprise, and promoting economic development while accounting for regional differences will reduce the risk of household food insecurity.

A cross-sectional study assessing the role of interventional radiology services in regional and remote Australia.

It is estimated that 8% of hospitalised patients require treatment from Interventional Radiology (IR). However, little is known about the potential impact of IR on regional and remote Australians, including Indigenous patients. This study aimed to assess treatments performed by IRs on regional/remote patients to predict future IR workforce and governance needs. Single-centre cross-sectional study at a tertiary Victorian hospital. Patients were identified when they had an advanced IR treatment between 1 January 2022 and 2024. Basic procedures such as biopsy and drain insertion were not included. The primary outcome was the type and volume of IR treatments performed on patients who were transferred from a regional or remote home location for treatment. Of 3485 advanced IR interventions, 908 procedures (26.0%) from patients who lived in a regional or remote location were included with 36.5% female, of mean age 55.6 years (SD 17.9). 1.4% identified as Indigenous which is similar to the Indigenous population incidence in Victoria of 1.0%. Of this group, 350 (38.5%) were either a day procedure, overnight elective admission, or simple inpatient procedure which could have been performed in a regional centre, which included 1.1% Indigenous patients. There is an unmet need for IR services in regional and remote Australia, with many patients being transferred to our metropolitan centre for treatment that could be performed in regional IR hubs. This data will be important to drive government and hospital planning including capital infrastructure, workforce modelling and future recognition of IR as a new specialty in Australia.

Abstract B082: Design Studios for Health to identify distinct outreach events and interventions to reduce the burden of cancer among Hispanic/Latino and Black adults in a major southwestern metropolitan region

Abstract Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Arizona. While there was a 7% decrease in cancer mortality among Arizonans from 2016-2020, more work is needed to decrease cancer incidence and mortality among racial and ethnic minorities, including Black and Hispanic/Latino populations. Further, it is critical to engage community members to identify cancer-related priorities, brainstorm feasible and acceptable community-based interventions, and co-create community-academia-healthcare solutions to reduce cancer disparities. Methods: The team conducted a series of Design Studios for Health (DSH) – guided listening sessions to foster community involvement, facilitate knowledge exchange, and identify the priorities and concerns for cancer prevention and control in the Black and Hispanic/Latino communities. Each DSH session included introductions, information dissemination, and breakout sessions with a moderator and a notetaker. The first DSH sessions were held in February 2024 via Zoom, one for Black community members (n=14) and one for Hispanic/Latino community members (n=14). In March 2024, an in-person DSH aimed to bring together all previous participants from both communities (n=27). This session deepened collaborations and knowledge exchange, building on insights from the initial sessions. The iterative nature of DSH ensured continuous refinement and co-creation of precision health solutions based on feedback and the data collected. Results: DSH participants identified the following cancer priorities: breast, skin, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and stomach cancers. They emphasized the need for community-shared information on survivorship resources, prevention (shared via social media), symptoms, costs, payment options, resource guides for community health workers, and guidance on navigating medical and insurance payments. Recommendations for academic partners included offering workshops and educational seminars on cancer prevention, using university space to host community cancer prevention events, alternating event locations in the metropolitan region to reach multiple underserved communities, hosting community fairs with multiple cancer education and screening opportunities, forming community advisory boards focused on cancer prevention and control, and organizing local forums to share cancer prevention and control resources. To support local organizations and health education outreach, they recommended creating additional training on cancer, e.g. for community health workers, to enhance public dissemination. Future directions: Based on these findings, our team is developing interactive, virtual, games-based cancer education to help dispel myths about cancer prevention and control. We are collaborating with community health workers to increase the accessibility of cancer prevention, screening, and resource education at pop-up cancer screening events (October and November 2024) held in areas of Phoenix serving low-income, racially, and ethnically diverse communities. Citation Format: Alexis M. Koskan, Maricarmen Vizcaino, Maissa Khatib, Tina M. Brown, Dorothy D. Sears. Design Studios for Health to identify distinct outreach events and interventions to reduce the burden of cancer among Hispanic/Latino and Black adults in a major southwestern metropolitan region [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B082.

Wild chamomile essential oils bioactivity at different locations in sulaimani region, Iraq

This study was conducted to evaluate the bioactivity of wild chamomile (Matricaria chamomile L.), in response to different elevations flower samples at full blooming. The analysis of chamomile flower essential oils (EOs) through GC-MS identified the predominant abundance of terpenoids including Bisabolol oxides, farnesene, and Azulen, constituting 61.765% of the identified compounds across various locations. The highest concentration was 74.554% out of the total components observed at Kanipanka, while it was the minimum (16.414%) at the Qaradagh location. Oppositely the highest concentration of Farnasene was observed at the Qaradagh location, while the lowest concentration occurred with the essential oil of Kanipanka.α-Bisabolol oxide A% dominates, except in the Qara Dagh location. The best antioxidant concentration was found in Sharbazher essential oil. The essential oil in Sharbazher significantly shows the highest inhibition capacity (IC%). The stronger IC50% value was 64.645 µg mL-1, recorded at the Qara Dagh location. The disc diffusion assay revealed that the activity of chamomile essential oil at various locations significantly affected the death of most bacterial strains (Gram-negative and Gram-positive). Chamomile EOs from the Kanipanka location recorded maximum antibacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosaPenjween EOs observed the maximum antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus haemolyticus, while a high level inhibition zone (IZ) against Enterococcus faecalis was observed in Bakrajo. The finding revealed that the highest MIC and MBC against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were achieved with the concentration of 2.5 µg mL-1 of Kanipanka EOs.

Discordance between peritumoral and subareolar injections for mapping sentinel lymph nodes in the breast.

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is a common staging tool for breast cancer. Initially, peritumoral (PT) injections were used, however subareolar (SA) injections were later introduced to simplify the technique. Controversy remains regarding whether PT and SA injections map the same sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). This study aimed to determine whether the regional location of breast SLNs differs when using PT versus SA injections using a large dataset from a single institution. A total of 1035 patients who underwent breast SNB (PT injections: n = 858 and SA injections: n = 177) with lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT were included. The identified SLN locations using SA injections were compared with those using PT injections. Differences in drainage proportions and odds ratios (ORs) for each clockface breast region and the whole breast were calculated using a two-proportion z-test and Fisher's Exact Test. A higher proportion of internal mammary SLNs were identified using PT injections for the whole breast (0.30 versus 0.09) and for all breast regions, with all regions showing statistical significance except the upper outer quadrant. Similarly, ORs showed identification of internal mammary SLNs was significantly higher when using PT injections (4.35, 95% CI 2.53 to 7.95). There were no significant differences in identifying axillary SLNs between injection sites. This is the largest cohort study to compare the regional location of breast SLNs identified using PT injections versus SA injections. Discordance was shown in the SLNs identified between injection techniques, with PT injections more frequently identifying internal mammary SLNs.

Assessment of Impact and Yield Economics of Tomato Hybrid Variety Arka Rakshak under High Hill Region of Arunachal Pradesh

A demonstration (FLD) was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Yachuli, Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh under high hill region during Summer season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to evaluate the impact of the demonstration of Tomato variety Arka Rakshak for yield and economics at the farmer’s field of four different locations of region. An area of 3.2 ha was covered under FLDs on Tomato variety Arka Rakshak with active participation of 12 farmers during demonstration. The average fruit yield was 372 q/ha during 2021-22 and 410 q/ha during 2022-23 with the increase in percentage of yield ranged between 53.71 to 52.98 during two years of the study. The extension gap ranging 130 to 142 q/ha and technology gap ranging between 308 and 270 q/ha. Decrease in technology index from 45.29 per cent during 2021-22 to 39.70 percent during 2022-23 show the practicality of the demonstrated technology in this region

The Role of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in the Femoral Head Perfusion Evaluation: A Pilot Study

ObjectivesWe explored the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating femoral head (FH) perfusion, guiding interventions and follow-up for infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and septic arthritis of the hip (SAH). The aim was to provide robust evidence for clinical assessment. MethodsTen infants, including 7 with DDH and 3 with SAH, were prospectively enrolled, with their bilateral hips alternately scanned during the CEUS exams. Twenty hips were classified into the case group (n = 11) and the control group (n = 9). Pre- and post-interventional studies were performed in DDH infants requiring interventions. FH perfusion was assessed by the perfusion area ratio (PAR) and quadrant location of microbubble-defect regions. ResultsIn the case group, 25 CEUS studies were conducted, including 11 baseline, 7 follow-up and 7 post-intervention studies. The PAR significantly decreased in the case group (49.79% vs. 100.00%, p < 0.05). The microbubble-defect regions averagely affected 2 quadrants, primarily quadrat No. 3 (30%) and No. 4 (32%). Seven hip abduction angle adjustments were made based on pre-interventional studies, resulting in a significant increase in PAR in post-interventional studies (37.63% vs. 60.24%, p < 0.05). PAR increased in follow-up studies compared to baseline values (45.61% vs. 76.07%, p < 0.05). The inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of PAR measurements were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient, both 0.97). ConclusionCEUS proves to be a promising technique for quantitatively detecting FH perfusion in DDH and SAH infants with high reproducibility. It is valuable for baseline, intra-intervention and follow-up studies, aiming in clinical conditions and therapeutic effect evaluation.

Mortality of very low birth weight infants by neonatal intensive care unit workload and regional group status.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) continue to face high mortality risk influenced by the care quality of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Understanding the impact of workload and regional differences on these rates is crucial for improving outcomes. This study aimed to assess how the structural and staffing attributes of NICUs influence the mortality rates of VLBWIs, emphasizing the significance of the availability of medical personnel and the regional distribution of care facilities. Data from 69 Korean NICUs collected by the Korean Neonatal Network between January 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The NICUs were classified by various parameters: capacity (small, medium, large), nurse-to-bed ratio (1-4), and regional location (A, B, C). Pediatrician staffing was also analyzed and NICUs categorized by beds per pediatrician into low (≤10), medium (11-15), and high (≥16). The NICUs were classified by mortality rates into high-performance (1st and 2nd quartiles) and low-performance (3rd and 4th quartiles). Demographic, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to explore the association between NICU characteristics and mortality rates. This study included 4,745 VLBWIs (mean gestational age, 28.4 weeks; mean birth weight, 1,088 g; 55.4% male) and found significant variations in survival rates across NICUs linked to performance and staffing levels. High-performing NICUs, often with lower bed-to-staff ratios and advanced care levels, had higher survival rates. Notably, NICUs with two rather than one neonatologist were associated with reduced mortality rates. The study also underscored regional disparities, with NICUs in certain areas showing less favorable survival rates. Adequate NICU staffing and proper facility location are key to lowering the number of VLBWI deaths. Enhancing staffing and regional healthcare equity is crucial for improving the survival of this population.

Computational analysis and expression profiling of NAC transcription factor family involved in biotic stress response in Manihot esculenta.

The Nascent polypeptide-Associated Complex (NAC) family is among the largest plant-specific TF families and plays an important role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. NAC TFs have been extensively studied in plants such as rice and Arabidopsis; however, their characterization, functions, evolution, and expression patterns in Manihot esculenta (cassava) under environmental stress remain largely unexplored. Here, we used bioinformatic analyses and biotic stress responses to investigate the physicochemical properties, chromosome location, phylogeny, gene structure, expression patterns, and cis-elements in promoter regions of the NAC TFs in cassava. We identified 119 M. esculenta NAC (MeNAC) gene families, unevenly distributed on 16 chromosomes. We investigated expression patterns of all identified MeNAC TFs under Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) infection, strain CHN11, at different time points. Only 20 MeNAC TFs showed expression of significant bacterial resistance. Six MeNACs (MeNAC7, 26, 63, 65, 77, and 113) were selected for functional analysis. qRT-PCR assays revealed that MeNAC7, 26, 63, 65, 77, and 113 were induced in response to XamCHN11 infection and may participate in the molecular interaction of cassava and bacterial blight. Interestingly, MeNAC26, MeNAC63, MeNAC65, and MeNAC113 responded to XamCHN11 infection at 3 h post-inoculation. Furthermore, we identified 13 stress-related cis-elements in promoter regions of the MeNAC genes that are involved in diverse environmental stress responses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MeNAC genes with similar structures and motif distributions were grouped. This study provides valuable insights into the evolution, diversity, and characterization of MeNAC TFs. It lays the groundwork for a better understanding of their biological roles and molecular mechanisms in cassava.

Understanding the role of agency in the navigation of regional dementia care and support service pathways.

Reliable dementia care and support service pathways are essential for timely diagnoses and for reducing the delay in time from diagnosis to care and support. However, carers commonly experience difficulties in finding information about where to go and what to do before and following a dementia diagnosis. In rural and regional areas, accessing dementia care and support services can be especially challenging. This qualitative, narrative inquiry study explores the agency of carers, and people living with dementia, in their navigation of regional dementia care and support service pathways. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten carers of people living with dementia from a regional location in Victoria, Australia. Data analysis was guided by the tripartite framework of Giddens' Theory of Structuration which considered the carers' intentionality, capacity and power to act in the navigation of their dementia care and support service pathways. Carers had intentionality; however, they did not always have the capacity and power to act. Information played a critical role in facilitating agency. Health literacy was important - as knowledge about where to look for/find information, and knowledge gained through experience, education or learning from others. Where carers encountered barriers, they lacked capacity and power. This occurred where there was an absence of information or knowledge, incorrect information (e.g. misdiagnoses), and where government bodies impeded carers' efforts. Information and knowledge are critical to the progression of dementia care and support service pathways. Health literacy is a significant resource, and carers would benefit from dementia education/training. The agency of carers in navigating their dementia care and support service pathways relies on carers themselves finding information and seeking out knowledge and education. However, GPs, local health providers, and dementia organisations have an important role to play in helping carers to find information towards accessing dementia care and support services.

Wine Festivals and Events: A Systematic Review

There has been a growing interest in wine festivals and events globally. This is due to the perceived positive benefits wine festivals and events bring to cities, towns, regional locations, and wine regions. To identify gaps in wine tourism research, a systematic literature review on wine festivals and events was undertaken to identify any research themes. The findings of the study suggest future directions for wine festivals and events research, and highlight important implications for the tourism industry, gastronomy practitioners, and policymakers regarding artificial intelligence, climatechange, and innovative entrepreneurship practices.

Aerothermal Performance of Slashface Leakage With Double Surface Angle Under Realistic Swirling Inflow

Abstract The turbine vanes being manufactured and assembled piece by piece leads to an unavoidable gap on the vane endwall called slashface. Usually, the coolant leakage introduced from the slashface with a single surface angle aims to prevent hot gas ingression and protect the vane endwall. However, the cooling effectiveness is greatly reduced when considering the swirling flow from the combustor. In the current work, against strong swirling inflow, a new solution to improve endwall film cooling performance through applying the slashface leakage with the double surface angle is carried out. Through numerical method, the effects of the location of the angle transition region (D/L = 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and mass flow ratio (MFR = 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) of the leakage on the turbine vane endwall aerothermal and film cooling performance are investigated. The results indicated that the coverage area of the coolant on the endwall was obviously enlarged when the slashface leakage with the double surface angle was employed. The film cooling level on both the endwall and suction side surface of the vane increased with increasing MFR. Moreover, the endwall thermal load was reduced. The designs of D/L = 25% and 50% are recommended for their high endwall film cooling level and low endwall thermal load. This paper provides turbine designers with a new idea to increase endwall film cooling performance by the slashface leakage with the double surface angle when considering aggressive swirling inflow.

Strategic Management of Egyptian-African Geothermal Power Plant Project 60-MW Associated with Sustainable Development in Kenya

Abstract This paper presents the role of Egyptian government for satisfying sustainable development in African countries. However, Egypt has no geothermal power plant although there are many locations in eastern region of Egypt have sufficient quantity of geothermal energy resources. When the highest temperature of geothermal energy resources in Egypt is 51 °C, then it needs auxiliary heating system to produce electricity. So, Egyptian government uses geothermal energy resources as direct use in central heating system for agricultural applications or in physical therapy for encourage tourism sector in Egypt. Development of the African natural resources is considered the most important strategy of Egyptian Government and sharing African countries to obtain sustainability. Kenya is considered the unique country in Africa which utilizes geothermal energy resources for producing electricity. Geothermal Development Company GDC, Nairobi, Kenya produces 985 MW of electricity depending on geothermal energy resources in Kenya and this make Kenya in rank of sixth greatest country in the world utilizes geothermal energy resources for producing electricity after United States, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkey and New Zealand, respectively.

MHD activity induced coherent mode excitation in the edge plasma region of ADITYA-U tokamak

In this paper, we report the excitation of coherent density and potential fluctuations induced by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity in the edge plasma region of ADITYA-U tokamak. When the amplitude of the MHD mode, mainly the m/n = 2/1, increases beyond a threshold value, |B̃θ|/Bθ ∼ 0.3%–0.4%, coherent oscillations in the density and potential fluctuations are observed having the same frequency as that of the MHD mode. The mode numbers of these MHD induced density and potential fluctuations are obtained by Langmuir probes placed at different radial, poloidal, and toroidal locations in the edge plasma region. Detailed analyses of these Langmuir probe measurements reveal that the coherent mode in edge potential fluctuation has a mode structure of m/n = 2/1, whereas the edge density fluctuation has an m/n = 1/1 structure. It is further observed that beyond the threshold, the coupled power fraction scales almost linearly with the magnitude of B̃θ/Bθ fluctuations. Furthermore, the rise rates of the coupled power fraction for coherent modes in density and potential fluctuations are also found to be dependent on the growth rate of magnetic fluctuations. The disparate mode structures of the excited modes in density and plasma potential fluctuations suggest that the underlying mechanism for their existence is the coupling of even harmonics of potential to the odd harmonics of pressure due to 1/R dependence of the toroidal magnetic field.

Growth, yield and quality variability of flue-cured tobacco in response to soil and climatic factors in Northern Vietnam

Flue-cured tobacco is an annual industrial crop cultivated widely in more than 120 countries, with yield and quality varying between cultivars and with ecological factors. This study investigated variability of four flue-cured tobacco cultivars in response to 11 environmental factors, including soil properties and climatic conditions. The cultivars were grown in four locations in the northern upland region of Vietnam over two years. Growth characteristics, yield, leaf quality, and stability statistics were assessed. Variability and significant effects of cultivar, location, year, and their interactions on plant performance were observed. Positive associations between plant growth characteristics and yield were identified. Fresh and dry yields were significantly positively correlated with soil available nitrogen phosphorus, and temperature. All leaf quality characteristics were significantly correlated with soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and sunshine hours. Canonical correlation analysis showed that yield was strongly influenced by four ecological factors. Leaf nitrogen and chlorine contents were influenced by seven and nine ecological factors, respectively. Low stability statistics, low average sum of ranks, moderate to high yield and leaf quality indicated that D65 was the most stable cultivar across locations and years. GL2 and GL7 were desired for their stability in leaf quality and yield, respectively.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF PRECISION GROUNDNUT DIGGER-INVERTER

Conventional groundnut digger blades are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and have high yield losses (up to 30%). The objective of this study was to adopt a precision groundnut harvesting technology in the country to reduce groundnut harvesting losses and to compare its performance with the conventional digger blade. Agricultural Engineering Institute, NARC, PARC imported a precision groundnut digger-inverter from the USA. This machine was tested at farmer’s fields and its performance was compared with the conventional digger. Data from both machines were collected for total digging losses, viz exposed pod losses, unexposed pod losses, damaged pod losses, and undug pod losses from different locations in the Pothohar region of Punjab, Pakistan. Results revealed that total pod losses using an imported precision digger shaker harvesting machine were 4.76%, whereas the total losses of a conventional digger were 28.26%. The operational cost using a conventional digger was Rs. 4,400/a, which was reduced to Rs. 2,350/a using a precision digger-inverter. The net benefit in terms of recoverable losses was Rs. 14,050 per acre. It is concluded that a significant amount of losses is reduced and farmer profit increases by adopting precision groundnut digger-inverter. There is a need to upscale this technology in the country's groundnut growing areas to reduce harvesting losses.

Physicochemical Analysis of Historical Ordu Taşbaşı Church Mortars and Recommendations for Restoration

Throughout history, the architecture of worship structures has been shaped based on different cultures and belief systems during the Roman, Seljuk, Anatolian Principalities, and Ottoman periods. Additionally, it is understood that the sociocultural and ritual structure in which the worship place is built plays a significant role in church architecture. In province of Ordu, rich in historical and cultural heritage, historical structures outside the city center have not been well preserved. In recent years, neglected historical structures have been restored through various methods with public investments, aiming to reintegrate them into urban life. Through chemical and mineralogical (by microscopy) examinations aimed at determining the types of historical structural materials used for this purpose, the preservation of historical structures in Ordu province and their transfer to future generations is targeted. Church structures, holding a distinct significance in the region’s history, exhibit various characteristics in terms of location, climate, and sociocultural and ritual aspects in the Black Sea region. In this regard, the restoration of the historical Taşbaşı Church in the Altınordu district of Ordu province has been carried out considering scientific techniques and methods, serving as a guide for similar studies in the region in terms of laboratory analysis, studies, planning, project development, and implementation stages.

Analysis of Liquefaction Susceptibility in the Nakdonggang Delta Region via Effective Stress Analysis

During the 2017 M5.4 Pohang earthquake, significant damage occurred because of liquefaction. However, South Korea is located in a stable continental region where earthquakes are rare, and the widely-used simplified liquefaction assessment methods have not been validated domestically. Hence, this study evaluates liquefaction at several locations in the Nakdonggang Delta region via effective stress analysis and compares the results with those of the simplified method of Boulanger and Idriss (2008). For the liquefaction assessment, a hypothetical earthquake scenario with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Dongnae Fault was assumed, and ground motions were generated via broadband hybrid ground motion simulation. The effective stress analysis was performed using OpenSeesPY and a multi-yield plasticity model. The results of the liquefaction assessment revealed significant differences between the two methods. The simplified method indicated that shallow sediments in the Nakdonggang Delta region were more susceptible to liquefaction, whereas the effective stress analysis indicated that loose, shallow sediments were more vulnerable. These results suggest that simplified liquefaction assessment methods must be carefully validated for application in South Korea. Future studies will need to accurately reflect dynamic soil properties based on experimental data to help validate effective stress analysis methods and assess the applicability of simplified methods for practical application in South Korea.

Emergency department visits for alcohol-related incidents in the United States

Alcoholism is the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States and was found to be the global leading risk factor for death in persons 15-49 years old. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted in 2021, 29.5 million people aged 12 years and older in the United States (US) were diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder thus causing alarm in many communities. This study was aimed to determine if Emergency Department (ED) visits for alcohol-related issues in the US are affected by the type of insurance coverage and regional location while assessing its outcomes on the respective patient demographics and populations. A total of 3236 patients with alcohol-related incidents (ICD-10 Code: F10.2) met the study criteria and were extracted from the 2019 United States National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey (NHAMCS) tabulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze the data using descriptive analysis and chi-squared tests with an alpha significance of 0.05. The study found that patients visiting the ED in the US for alcohol-related issues were affected by patient demographics, type of insurance, and regional location. Moreover, the clinical and mortality outcomes also vary significantly across patient demographics.