Macro Determinants Research Articles

The role of agriculture for achieving renewable energy-centered sustainable development objectives in rural Africa

Multi-dimensional and overlapping barriers to wellbeing severely affect many areas in rural sub-Saharan Africa. In the region, more than 90% of cropland is rainfed, less than one third of households have electricity, almost 60% of the population reports food insecurity, and more than 35% of the population lives below the international poverty line. Climate change impacts on vulnerable systems with limited adaptive capacity and strong population growth are increasing the magnitude of these challenges, slowing and potentially reversing development. Thus, there is a strong need for multi-sector interventions across multiple levels, from national policies, to regional and river catchment-scale planning, to local planning and investment. To implement such actions, it is key not only to assess technological solutions and their investment needs, but also to appraise their feasibility and implementation potential (from both a policy and a financial point of view). Here, we implement a modelling platform (RE4AFAGRI platform), which soft-links bottom-up process-based water and energy demand and techno-economic infrastructure assessment models (WaterCROP, M-LED, OnSSET) into a multi-node, national Nexus-extended Integrated Assessment Model (MESSAGEix-Nexus) for supply and investment assessment. The results of our analysis shed light on the role of water and energy demand in the agricultural sector for jointly affecting infrastructure and investment requirements for achieving rural sustainable development objectives. We find that scenarios with increased ambition in expanding irrigation and agricultural productivity result in improved diffusion and economic feasibility of infrastructure to provide universal energy access while supporting productive uses of energy. Moreover, we conduct business model analysis to appraise the framework conditions and micro and macro determinants that can ensure feasibility of investment and uptake of small-scale infrastructure, crucial for rural development. Altogether, our research demonstrates how integrated modelling with an explicit focus on Nexus interlinkages can represent the enabling role and the business conditions for renewable energy input in agriculture to become a leverage of rural sustainable development. In turn, important policy and investment-relevant insights can be derived.

Is trade relevant to the macro drivers of carbon dioxide emissions? A study of high‐ and low‐trade openness economies

AbstractThe objective of this research is to systematically compare the impact of macro determinants on CO2 emissions, using the theoretical frameworks of trade, the Environmental Kuznets Curve, and the Pollution Haven Hypothesis. The study specifically focuses on high‐ and low‐trade‐openness economies from 1995 to 2020. Methodologies employed include stepwise regression, fully modified least squares, pooled ordinary least squares, and fixed effects models. Long‐run dynamics were assessed using Granger causality tests and Pedroni and Johansen cointegration tests. The results indicate both long‐term and short‐term relationships between CO2 emissions and the following variables: (i) gross capital formation (GCF), (ii) per capita income (PCI), (iii) population (POP), and (iv) trade openness. Trade openness has a positive and significant effect on CO2 emissions in highly trade openness economies, whereas it has a negative effect in low trade‐open economies. Highly open economies are more significantly impacted by GCF and POP on CO2 emissions compared with low‐ trade openness economies. Additionally, PCI positively and significantly influences CO2 emissions in low‐ trade openness countries, and this effect is greater than in high‐ trade openness economies. The study also identifies a bidirectional causal relationship between PCI, GCF, and CO2 emissions in both groups of economies, as well as a unidirectional relationship between trade openness, POP, and CO2 emissions in both high‐ and low‐ trade openness countries.

GDP-linked bonds as a new asset class

Using stochastic spanning tests without any distributional assumptions on returns, we show that the two classes of GDP-linked bonds, floaters and linkers, are not spanned by a broad benchmark set of stocks, bonds, and cash for a wide range of design specifications. Thus, they provide a new asset class with significant diversification benefits for investors, with proportional investments to these novel instruments estimated in the double digits and an increase in Sharpe ratios by up to 0.37 over the benchmark. The benefits depend on the market risk premium, but they persist for a wide range of premia estimates from existing literature and are robust to a randomized test. Using the generalized method of moments regressions, we document the finance and macro determinants of GDP-linked bond returns.

Determination of macro‐ and microelements concentrations by wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry in the objects of the technogenic ecosystem

AbstractThe wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry was applied to determine Na, Mg, Al, P, S, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Pb concentrations in the needles of dwarfish spruce Picea canadensis conica and the blue prickly spruce Picea pungens glauca, as well in technogenic soil of Irkutsk city, in which these spruce species grow. All measurements were performed in vacuum using WDXRF spectrometer S8 TIGER produced by Bruker AXS, Germany. The calculated values of instrumental limit of detection (ILD) ranged from 0.5 for Ni to 67 mg/kg for Al for soil certified reference materials (CRMs) such as OOKO151 (light chestnut soil) and from 0.2 for Cu and Ni to 18–24 mg/kg for Na for the plant CRMs such as LB‐1 (birch leaf) and EC‐1 (Canadian waterweed). The repeatability is satisfactory. The values of relative standard deviations (RSDs) do not exceed 15% for soils and available plant material. With calculated T‐statistics, it was found that the WDXRF data do not contain systematic errors. The values of relative discrepancy for WDXRF, total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry, and atomic emission spectrometry with arc discharge (d.c. arc‐AES) results do not exceed 30% for studied elements.

Workplace accidents, economic determinants and underreporting: an empirical analysis in Italy

PurposeThis paper proposes an analysis of occupational accidents in Italy at the regional level. For this purpose, our panel is composed of 20 regions over the 2010–2019 time span.Design/methodology/approachWe apply different econometric estimation techniques (pooled OLS model, panel fixed and random effects models and semiparametric fixed model) using INAIL and ISTAT data. Our models investigate workplace accidents at the regional level by accounting for socioeconomic, labour market and productive system variables and controlling for possible underreporting bias.FindingsOverall results reveal the existence of a relevant under-notification phenomenon of accidents at work with respect to moderate accidents, that is higher especially for the southern regions of Italy. However, when considering as outcome variable an alternative set of more severe workplace accidents our model specification remains highly jointly statistically significant. Among our main findings, the analysis shows that worker skills (blue collar) strongly affect the regional pattern of workplace accidents, i.e. an increase of 1% of low paid employees generates about an increase of 1.8 severe workplace accidents per thousand workers. Moreover, we provide evidence that the size of the firm is inversely related to the occupational accident rates. Finally, our results highlight a nonlinear relationship between GDP and occupational accidents for the Italian regional context, confirmed by the high statistical significance of the quadratic term in all the estimated linear models and by the semi-parametric analysis.Originality/valueA first element of originality of our study consists of investigating the macro determinants of occupation accidents at a regional Italian level. Second, the empirical literature (Boone and Van Ours, 2006) highlights the possible bias of underreporting behaviours on nonfatal accidents in contrast to fatal accidents that are always reported. From this perspective, we have identified a few analyses (namely, Boone et al., 2011) considering different accident sets characterised by different severity degrees. Thus, this paper contributes to the literature considering five alternative subsets of accidents stratified by degree of severity (i.e. moderate, severe, moderate plus severe, severe plus fatal and total accident rates) to test for possible underreporting bias affecting our econometric model.

Social determinants of health and teenage pregnancy: an integrative review

According to the World Health Organization, adolescence, which begins at the age of 10 and ends at 19, is full of transformations and is marked by a complex process of biopsychosocial development. Pregnancy in adolescence is seen as precocious and represents one of the most worrying events related to sexuality and health. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between the SDH and teenage pregnancy, and thus provide scientific support for the development of public policies aimed at this segment of the population. This is an integrative literature review, carried out in the PubMed, Scielo and LILACS databases. Articles published between 2011 and 2021 were selected. Fourteen articles were found, but after applying the eligibility criteria, only eight were analyzed. The results were grouped into categories: social determinants of health and teenage pregnancy, association between health education and teenage pregnancy, level of knowledge of adolescents. There was a relationship between the social determinants of health and teenage pregnancy, and a focus on sex education and access to contraceptive services and methods emerged. Despite these findings, it is still necessary to understand the macro determinants, in which the socio-economic, political and cultural spheres are fundamental and require greater public health interventions.

Effect of vermicompost on rhizobiome and the growth of wheat on Martian regolith simulant

As humanity embarks on the journey to establish permanent colonies on Mars, ensuring a reliable source of sustenance will be crucial. Therefore, detailed studies regarding crop cultivation using Martian simulants are of great importance. This study aimed to grow wheat on substrates based on soil and Martian simulants, with the addition of vermicompost, to investigate the differences in wheat development. Basic physical and chemical properties of substrates were examined, including determination of macro- and microelements as well as their microbiological properties. Plant growth parameters were also determined. The addition of vermicompost positively affected wheat grown on soil, but the effect on plants grown on substrate with Martian simulants was negligible. Comparing the microbiological and chemical components, it was observed that plants can defend themselves against the negative effects of growth on the Martian simulants, but their success depends on having the PGPR (Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria) present, which can provide the plant with additional nitrogen. The presence of beneficial symbiotic microbiota will allow the wheat to wait out the negative growth time rather than adapt to the regolith environment.

Distribution of Edentulism by the Macro Determinants of Health in 204 Countries and Territories: An Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study

ObjectiveTo carry out a comprehensive description of edentulism estimates by the macro determinants of health in 2000, 2010 and 2019 worldwide. MethodsThis ecological study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) to describe the incidence rate, prevalence rate and years lived with disability (YLDs) rate due to edentulism by macro determinants of health (governance, macroeconomic policy, social policy, public policies, societal values), for 204 countries and territories. The estimates were reported as rates (cases/100,000 people), for people of both sexes aged 55 years or older. ResultsCountries belonging to the least privileged categories of the macro determinants showed the lowest prevalence rate, incidence rate, and YLD rate due to edentulism for all exposures. Countries with low government expenditure on health showed the lowest prevalence rate of edentulism in 2000 (18,972.1; 95 %CI 15,960.0 - 21,984.3) and 2010 (16,646.8; 95 %CI: 14,218.3–19,075.4) than those with high government expenditure on health in 2000 (25,196.6; 95 %CI: 23,226.9 - 27,166.2) and 2010 (21,014.7; 95 %CI: 19,317.9 - 22,711.5). Countries with low SDI showed the lowest YLDs in 2000 (321.0, 95 %CI: 260.1- 381.9), 2010 (332.0; 95 %CI: 267.7–396.3), and 2019 (331.6; 95 %CI: 266.6–396.5). ConclusionThe findings point to persistent inequalities in the distribution of edentulism between countries worldwide. The most privileged countries, with higher economic development, better governance, and better social and public policies, have shown higher rates of edentulism. Clinical SignificanceThis model must be reconsidered by advancing toward upstream and midstream strategies, beyond its conventional downstream clinical interventions.

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY. EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

The paper explores the impact of digital transformation (DT) on new business creation in the case of European Union member states over the period 2015–2020 by employing several econometric techniques such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and quantile regression (QR). The results of OLS regression indicate a positive and significant link between DT and entrepreneurial activity. However, the quantile regression results highlight a parameter heterogeneity in the effect of DT on entrepreneurial activity. Furthermore, the magnitude of the impact is greater at the higher size quantiles of the new business density distribution. Overall, the empirical findings highlight the key role of DT in developing public policies aimed to spur entrepreneurial activity. Thus, this paper brings significant contributions to the extant literature on the macro determinants of firm creation.

Knowledge mobility after tourism entrepreneurial failure: Life after death?

There has been limited conceptualization in tourism of the knowledge consequences of firm failure despite overall high failure rates. There is no simple dichotomy between the lost knowledge of failed firms and knowledge survival in successful firms. This paper therefore elaborates a three-stage conceptual model of the post-failure trajectories of knowledge. The model focusses on the distinctive combination of tacit and codified knowledge in context of impure public goods, their distribution within and beyond the firm, and their micro and macro determinants. Three main post-failure trajectories are identified: cold storage/black hole of knowledge, knowledge recovery, and knowledge recombination. A research agenda is outlined for this neglected aspect of tourism knowledge research which has significant implications for innovation.

Macro Determinants of Private Investment in Egypt: Co-integration Approach

Macro Determinants of Private Investment in Egypt: Co-integration Approach

Exploring men's health in medium and high complexity care in Brazil: A deductive thematic analysis of social determinants.

Men's health is influenced by a complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural determinants. Understanding how these aspects affect the health of adult cisgender men in medium and high-complexity healthcare settings is essential for improving healthcare services and promoting better health outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the health status of adult cisgender men in medium and high-complexity healthcare settings based on social determinants and conditioners. This study employed a qualitative design involving 45 adult cisgender men receiving care in medium/high complexity services in Bahia, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from July 2019 to February 2020, and data were interpreted based on Dahlgren and Whitehead's Model of Social Determinants of Health using deductive thematic analysis. Proximal determinants included biological aspects, preventive behaviors, lifestyle/social life, and aging processes. Intermediate factors included work conditions, access/utilization of healthcare services/medications, and psychosocial factors. Macro determinants involved income distribution, power dynamics, resource allocation, health inequalities/iniquities, morbidity, culture, political decisions, environmental factors, and structural elements. The health status of men in medium/high complexity care was profoundly influenced by structural social determinants. These determinants impacted healthcare attention, service organization, cultural influences, the reproduction of hegemonic masculinity patterns, lifestyle, social support, and socioeconomic conditions necessary to realize the right to health. Nursing practices should conduct comprehensive assessments that extend beyond physical health indicators.

Determination of macro and micronutrients in diferentes species of ora-pro-nóbis and comparison with conventional vegetable

The aim of this work was to determine the proximate composition and contents of iron, copper, manganese, phenolic compounds, phytic acid, total titratable acidity and pH of three species of ora-pro-nóbis (OPN): Pereskia aculeata Miller (PA), Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana (PAG) and Pereskia grandifolia Haworth (PG) from domestic cultivation. Furthermore, compare the results obtained with a conventional vegetable kale (CM) (Brassica oleracea L. acephala) and evaluate the interrelationships through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The ora-pro-nóbis species were statistically different from the CM in terms of total titratable acidity, pH, phenolic compounds, iron and copper at a significance level of 5%. The CM and PA showed statistical similarities in relation to protein, carbohydrate and manganese content at a significance level of 5%, while for PA and PG samples statistical similarities were observed for moisture and phytic acid at a significance level of 5%. For OPN species, the minerals concentrations varied from 15.26 ± 6.40 to 25.52 ± 4.72 mg Fe 100 g-1, 1.23 ± 0.81 to 5.31 ± 6.57 mg Cu 100 g-1, 12.00 ± 6.31 to 17.72 ± 13.13 mg Mn 100 g-1. ACP demonstrated that the PAG sample made the greatest contribution to the study, having in its composition the highest levels of iron, copper, phytic acid and moisture. Therefore, the species of ora-pro-nóbis evaluated in this work, even in residential cultivation conditions, proved to be potential sources of minerals, mainly iron, especially the species Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana. In this way, the evaluation of the proximate and mineral composition of unconventional food plants is relevant for understanding the nutritional composition and increasing the consumption of these vegetables, in their use for food enrichment, as well as in helping to reduce the population's food insecurity.

The Political Economy of Life Satisfaction: Democracy, National Wealth, and Personal Income

Abstract Numerous studies examine the micro-dynamics of subjective well-being (SWB) generally, or life satisfaction (LS) more specifically. Others also document the macro determinants of SWB and LS. We propose a model linking the two, in which an individual’s life satisfaction is contingent on (1) personal circumstances, (2) national factors such as democratic governance and the national wealth, and (3) the explicit interaction of these two levels of analysis. We test three sets of hypotheses that arise from this model with compiled data from six waves of the World Values Survey (WVS) data. The empirical evidence we present supports most of the hypotheses, including our novel proposition that both national wealth and democracy reduce the effect of individual personal income on LS.

Health of the romany people and COVID19 primer: reflections upon cultural competence

The Romani people are identified by their language, anthem and flag. Its origins are attributed to India, having passed through successive diasporas to other countries and continents, but it remains very little known, a fact that supports behaviors of strangeness, prejudice and discrimination. In Brazil, there is a predominance of the Calon ethnic group from the Iberian Peninsula, who arrived among those exiled to the country. Social macro determinants such invisibility and inequities can be mitigated through public policies. This article communicates, through the methodology called case study (report of the process over the years), the historical trajectory of work in primary health care aimed at the Romani people in an urban presence in the city of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, from 2008 to 2023, bringing some academic contributions from its own leaders, showing their intersectoral citizen participation in primary and secondary prevention in addition to health promotion, to the communities to which they belong and dedicate themselves. From a professional perspective, with the experience of coexistence, the cultural competence and leadership skills of the Romani leaders were highlighted. Therefore, intercultural education must be promoted in possible healthcare spaces, also aiming to develop professional cultural competence in a multi-ethnic country.

The Role of Tax-Benefit Systems in Shaping Economic Insecurity in the European Union

This paper aims to understand if differences in European countries’ tax-benefit systems impact on individual levels of economic insecurity beyond their socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, with an additional focus on households with children. We consider 29 European countries and use multilevel modelling techniques to study the simultaneous role of micro and macro determinants on a multidimensional index of economic insecurity. Our results show that larger welfare systems and generous general social risk policies for unemployment, bad health and social exclusion are correlated with lower insecurity levels, also for households with children who may receive other transfers specifically targeted to them.

Epidemiology, risk areas and macro determinants of gastric cancer: a study based on geospatial analysis

BackgroundBoth incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Gansu rank first in china, this study aimed to describe the recent prevalence of gastric cancer and explore the social and environmental determinants of gastric cancer in Gansu Province.MethodsThe incidence of gastric cancer in each city of Gansu Province was calculated by utilizing clinical data from patients with gastric cancer (2013–2021) sourced from the medical big data platform of the Gansu Province Health Commission, and demographic data provided by the Gansu Province Bureau of Statistics. Subsequently, we conducted joinpoint regression analysis, spatial auto-correlation analysis, space–time scanning analysis, as well as an exploration into the correlation between social and environmental factors and GC incidence in Gansu Province with Joinpoint_5.0, ArcGIS_10.8, GeoDa, SaTScanTM_10.1.1 and GeoDetector_2018.ResultsA total of 75,522 cases of gastric cancer were included in this study. Our findings suggested a significant upward trend in the incidence of gastric cancer over the past nine years. Notably, Wuwei, Zhangye and Jinchang had the highest incidence rates while Longnan, Qingyang and Jiayuguan had the lowest. In spatial analysis, we have identified significant high-high cluster areas and delineated two high-risk regions as well as one low-risk region for gastric cancer in Gansu. Furthermore, our findings suggested that several social and environmental determinants such as medical resource allocation, regional economic development and climate conditions exerted significant influence on the incidence of gastric cancer.ConclusionsGastric cancer remains an enormous threat to people in Gansu Province, the significant risk areas, social and environmental determinants were observed in this study, which may improve our understanding of gastric cancer epidemiology and help guide public health interventions in Gansu Province.

Path analysis model for preventing stunting in dryland area island East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.

The problem of stunting is still a fundamental problem in Indonesia's human development. East Nusa Tenggara Province is an archipelago dryland area where in 2007-2021 it has contributed to the highest number of stunting children prevalence in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the relationship of variables in individual, household and district level with the prevalence of stunting. This type of research is observational study with a cross sectional design. This study used individual secondary data from the Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey in 2021 consisting of 7,835 toddlers and National Social Economics Survey 2021. This research found that both specific & sensitive intervention programs had an influence in accelerating the decline in stunting prevalence (higher score on Z Score). Results also revealed the positive influence of the food access variable on nutritional intake. The results of the path analysis test showed that sensitive intervention program variables have a positive effect on food access variable and environmental variable (environmental sanitation) such as the habit of open defecation and healthcare. There was significant relationship on disease history, environment and intake to Height for Age (HAZ) score. In conclusion, direct and indirect factors have important roles to prevent stunting. Sensitive and specific intervention program, food access, macro determinants and environment are the indirect indicators which contribute significantly to the stunting. The risk of children under five years old experiencing malnourished nutritional status increases with a history of infectious disease (diarrhea, ARI, worms). The risk of children under five years experiencing malnourished nutritional status decreases with adequate nutritional intake. It is hoped that there will be a special model of stunting control interventions at the individual level and at the family, household and district level that are integrated and of high quality through multisectoral cooperation in the dryland areas of the islands of East Nusa Tenggara Province.

Gender Differences in the Impact of the Informal Economy on the Labor Market: Evidence From Middle Eastern Countries.

Although considerable discussion has been devoted to the macro determinants of labor market variables across genders, comparatively little attention has been given to the contribution of the informal economy to this market. This study was aimed at empirically investigating the impact of the size of the shadow or informal economy (IE) on labor market variables across genders in 12 Middle Eastern countries. The study used quarterly time series data on each country under investigation, covering 1991 to 2015. Phillips-Perron unit root tests were carried out to verify the stationarity of the examined economic series. An autoregressive distributed lag approach was adopted to conduct cointegration tests and estimate long-run regression coefficients and error correction terms. The results indicated that the IE served men and women differently across countries. Whereas this economy had a long-run positive relationship with men's employment rates in Bahrain, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, this relationship existed among women only in Israel. IE activities matter in the employment of men and women in Middle Eastern countries. The sizes of IEs in the labor market are a significant factor that favors men's employment rather than that of women.

Quantitative determination of macro and micro elements and heavy metals accumulated in wild fruits analyzed by ICP-OES method.

The moisture amounts of wild fruits ranged from 51.07 (rosehip) to 88.49% (raspberry (yellow)). Wild strawberry generally contained the highest amounts of P, K and Ca. In addition, the highest Mg result was recorded in wild strawberry, fig and rosehip fruits. P and K amounts of wild edible fruits were recorded between 385mg/kg (blackberry) and 2538mg/kg (fig) to 6114 (medlar) and 18,613mg/kg (wild strawberry), respectively. Depending on the fruit variety and type, the microelements found in the highest amounts were Zn, Cu, Mn and B. Fe resultss of fruits were reported at very low levels. Fe results of wild edible fruits changed between 0.21 (apple) and 1.32mg/kg ((fig). Zn and Cu values of wild edible fruits were recorded between 1.39 (apple) and 16.4mg/kg (fig) to 1.54 (apple) and 18.4mg/kg (wild strawberry), respectively. Cu contents of raspberry (red), raspberry (yellow), blackberry, jujube and medlar fruits were found to be very close to each other. Arsenic (As) contents of wild fruits were recorded to be higher than those of other elements. In addition, some fruits have high heavy metal contents. The heavy metal found in the highest amounts in fruits was As, followed in descending order by Ali Ba, Se, Ni and Pb. The high As content of these fruits is likely due to the As content of the soil where the plants are grown and its contamination with As-rich industrial waste. While As contents of edible wild fruits are detected between 4.21 (rosehip) and 65.7 (wild strawberry), Al results of fruits were reported between 0.03 (rosehip) and 16.0μg/g (mulberry (white)).