Main Determinants Research Articles

The Main Determinants of B2B Buyer Behavior Formation in High-Tech Markets During the Post-pandemic Period

The Main Determinants of B2B Buyer Behavior Formation in High-Tech Markets During the Post-pandemic Period

Thermal preference and pleasantness of a students’ population in a coastal urban area during summer

In thermal comfort research, two main domains are identified: objective and subjective. This study focusses on the latter, examining various aspects of preference, sensation, and pleasantness. It also clearly distinguishes each concept and sets the groundwork for their standardised use in urban planning and urban climate studies. Additionally, this study emphasises the often-overlooked geographical perspective, aiming to address previous gaps in this research area. Environmental conditions were found to be the main determinants influencing pedestrians' thermal sensation, preference, and pleasure. Key factors include air temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed, which exhibit strong correlations with pleasure responses. Additionally, urban density, clothing type and colour, shading, sex, and weather type significantly impact thermal sensation and reported pleasantness. It was observed that people who overdressed for the season, wore dark or warmer clothes, experienced air temperature and solar radiation more intensely. Similarly, those in high-density urban areas, without shade, or when weak continental wind conditions were observed, reported stronger thermal sensations. Women generally sensed air temperature and solar radiation as more intense compared to men. These factors influence thermal pleasantness, varying in importance, spatial distribution, and statistical relationship. Higher wind speeds, particularly from an Atlantic direction, were found to enhance thermal pleasantness by balancing conditions and reducing thermal sensation votes for air temperature and solar radiation. Green areas also increased thermal pleasantness by lowering air temperature and solar radiation sensations and promoting a sense of happiness among pedestrians.

A multifaceted analysis of pesticide utilization in market gardening along the Ruzizi plain: Exploring factors, farmer perceptions & media influence

Along the Ruzizi plain, subsistence agriculture constitutes households' primary food source. Regardless of the environment, the low level of pesticide use ensures less effective disease and pest control. This is why a study was carried out in the Ruzizi plain to identify the main determinants of pesticide use on vegetable crops for effective control of diseases and pests that significantly reduce the yield of these crops, which play an economically important role for producers and the role of the media in this context. The data was collected using a closed-type survey questionnaire on 90 market gardeners distributed equally between localities applying the probit model. The results of the probit model estimation reveal that about nine factors positively influence the use of pesticides: membership in a cooperative (p=0.0012), access to agricultural credit (p=0.0153), experience in agriculture (p=0.0008), experience in market gardening (p=0.0197), standard of living (p=0.0139), yield (p=0.0001), capacity building (p=0.0035), the area exploited (p=0.0011) and the cultivation system (p=0.0233). In addition, tomatoes are the leading vegetable crop grown by many market gardeners (61.1%), followed by amaranth (20%) and onions (18.9%). Also, 67.8% of market gardeners use pesticides compared to 32.2% who do not use them. Thus, considering these factors would contribute to decision-making when carrying out certain activities to improve market gardening, contributing considerably to the fight against food insecurity. Also, it is advised that the media work harder to inform rural residents and areas about the agenda for rural development.

How do sectoral elasticities affect the transmission of monetary shocks?

PurposeThe presence of heterogeneity in price stickiness has been previously shown to be the main determinant of the real effects of nominal shocks. The paper presents theoretical results that highlight the significance of labor mobility and intratemporal elasticity of substitution across sectors.Design/methodology/approachThis paper explores output dynamics in a closed economy, relying on a New Keynesian model that accounts for heterogeneity in price stickiness across sectors.FindingsThe key finding from the analytical results is that changes in labor mobility and intratemporal elasticity of substitution across sectors have an equivalent impact on sectoral output when accounting for differences in price stickiness. The model is then calibrated for the US economy using data from the manufacturing and services sectors, providing validation for the analytical results.Originality/valueConventional models often assume either immediate labor reallocation across sectors following shocks or no labor mobility at all. Additionally, these models assume either strong complementarity in consumption or some degree of substitutability. This paper demonstrates the crucial role that labor reallocation and the elasticity of substitution across goods across sectors play in generating well-known economic outcomes.

Determinants of the Relationship between Wholesale and Retail Energy Prices in the Czech Republic

Rising energy prices have become a focus of interest for politicians at the international, European, and national levels. Energy prices are the main determinant of profitability or even the existence of the industrial sector. So, it is accepted that energy policy aims to ensure a secure, sustainable, competitive, and affordable energy supply for households and businesses. However, the recent geopolitical situation has significantly affected the energy policy of the European Union, raising concerns about energy security and an energy crisis. This crisis has had social, economic, and political consequences, including energy poverty. In this context, it is essential to understand the determinants of the relationship between wholesale and retail energy prices. This paper presents a model proposal to be used by the Czech Energy Regulatory Authority. The model of average retail prices depends on the type of contract - spot or forward, with the three-year forward contract having the largest weight on the retail price. Therefore, our study shows that long-term contracts significantly impact retail energy prices, highlighting the importance of regulatory monitoring of market strategies. Methodologically, the model is based on a multivariate regression analysis solved with the least absolute deviations and data for the period 2012 to 2023. The findings of the study contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of the dynamics of energy prices and support policymakers while attempting to ensure energy affordability and sustainability.

Intracranial pressure monitoring and treatment practices in severe traumatic brain injury between low-and middle-income countries and high-income countries: Data or dogma?

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring forms the cornerstone of most severe TBI (sTBI) management guidelines, yet treatment practices vary between high income countries (HIC) and low/middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to find the reasons for variation in ICP monitoring and treatment practices between neurosurgeons in low- and high-income countries. Methods: We developed a 34-item anonymous survey questionnaire on ICP monitoring and treatments, which was emailed to neurosurgeons of various neurosurgical societies (Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America) who manage TBI. Results: One hundred and six respondents from 23 countries completed the questionnaire. Sixty-nine were from Africa, 16 were from North America, 12 were from Western Europe, and 8 were from Asia. About 48.72% of respondents from LMICs versus 96.43% from HICs have had training on ICP use. Among practitioners who monitor ICP invasively in <50% of patients that need it, 41.6% and 37.5% from LMIC cited availability and cost as the major constraints, versus 3.3% and 6.67%, respectively, in HIC. Only 7 (8.97%) from LMIC follow Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines all the time compared to 17.86% from HIC. When asked about their knowledge of randomized controlled trial(RCT), 78.57% of respondents from HIC versus 11.54% from LMIC knew about RCTs that tested the role of ICP monitoring in sTBI. Conclusion: Significant differences exist in ICP monitoring and treatment in patients with sTBI between high and LMICs. Cost and availability are the main determinants of ICP monitor usage. Practice pattern among the respondents was not completely supported by evidence.

Digital technologies for pediatric rehabilitation: current access and use in the European Rehatech4child survey.

Digital technologies such as robotics and treadmill-systems (RobTS), virtual-reality and active video-gaming (VR-AVG), and telehealth and apps (T&Apps) used within pediatric motor rehabilitation may promote recovery and improve function. However, digital technology uptake may be limited in clinical practice. To explore access to and use of digital technologies for pediatric motor rehabilitation (DT4R) in Europe as a function of individual and environmental factors, as well as potential barriers to their use. This observational study was based on RehaTech4child, a cross-sectional survey (2022), supported by the European Academy of Childhood Disability. Online survey available in 20 European languages. The survey was disseminated through convenience and snowball sampling to pediatric motor rehabilitation professionals in Europe. The survey included items on outcomes (access, use, purposes of use and intention to use for the three categories of DT4R, i.e. RobTS, VR-AVG and T&Apps), determinants (socio-demographics, rehabilitation practice) and barriers. The association between access and use, and individual and environmental determinants was assessed using logistic regression adjusted for age, gender and profession. Of the 1397 responses received, 635 were included. Respectively 67.7% and 74.3% of respondents reported using and having access to at least one of the three categories of DT4R. T&Apps and VR-AVG were used by 50.8% and 45.5% of respondents, respectively, and RobTS by 36.6% (P<0.001). Ease of access was the main determinant of use and frequency of use. Individual (e.g. age) and environmental (e.g. healthcare facility, patients' age) factors were access determinants. At least 70% of professionals intended to use a DT4R if available. Lack of financial resources and training were the most frequently reported severe barriers. This study found that DT4R were already used in clinical practice by around two-thirds of respondents and that they generally wished to use them even more. Access was the main determinant of use and frequency of use. To facilitate access and use of DT4R, infrastructure and financial resources should be outlined, and training opportunities provided for professionals. Practice guidance should be developed and adapted for specific age groups and rehabilitation goals.

Social Vulnerability Index and Dental Caries in Children: An Exploratory Study.

This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the association between caries outcomes in a pediatric population visiting a dental clinic and the social vulnerability index, an area-based measure capturing 4 main social determinants of health: socioeconomic status, household composition/disability, minority status/language, and housing/transportation. The Centers for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and electronic dental record data of children (0 to 18 y) reporting a caries diagnosis at the Children's Hospital Colorado in 2020 were extracted for 9,201 children. Logistic regressions were used to test the association between SVI and the presence or absence of dental caries, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and race. Children with a caries diagnosis had a greater mean overall SVI percentile (62.0, standard deviation [SD] = 29.1) compared with patients without a caries diagnosis (59.1, SD = 29.8; P < 0.001). With each 10-point increase in the overall SVI percentile, having a caries diagnosis visit was 2.7% more likely compared with having a visit without a caries diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.027, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.012, 1.042; P = 0.0004). Those with an overall SVI percentile between 51 and 75 were 23% more likely to have a caries diagnosis compared with those with a percentile ≤25 (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.07, 1.42; P = 0.003), and those with a percentile >75 were 23.6% more likely to have a caries diagnosis compared with those with a percentile ≤25 (OR 1.236, 95% CI 1.09, 1.40; P = 0.001). Children (0 to 18 y) living in socially vulnerable environments or areas were more likely to have a caries diagnosis at their dental exam. This study showed an association between social determinants of health demonstrating social vulnerability and dental caries in children. Ultimately, understanding upstream factors for children living in socially vulnerable areas could support policymakers in creating more effective policies to support socially vulnerable populations.

Household expenditure on control of urban mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy.

In 2007, the first outbreak of Chikungunya in Italy generated great alarm, highlighting the health risks caused by exotic species recently introduced in Europe and the need to strengthen control actions against the vectors. Besides health risks, mosquitoes cause nuisance, and citizens are required to adopt control measures. While the economic aspects of mosquito control by public agencies have been investigated, the scientific literature on the costs of mosquito protection incurred by families is scarce. This study assessed the households' expenditure on protective measures against mosquitoes in Emilia-Romagna, a region in Northern Italy. A phone questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on the annual expenditure incurred by households for self-protection against mosquitos in relation to the perceived level of nuisance and the household and dwelling characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the main determinants influencing such expenditure, which resulted affected by dwelling characteristics, presence of children under 6 years of age, and health concerns of family members. The average annual household expenditure was estimated at 84.63 euros, about 30 times higher than the expenditure per household supported by regional and local administrations for interventions against mosquitoes in public areas, as calculated in a previous study. Household expenditure is mainly aimed at providing a direct defense against mosquito bites (mosquito nets, adulticides, skin-on repellents, etc.) while spending for more effective measures addressed to reduce mosquito density results marginal: e.g., only 3.5% of the total expenditure was dedicated to larval control. Control activities that lower the mosquito density in both private and public areas could reduce the use of household insecticides in urban environments and the related costs, and the risk of spread of imported arboviruses as well.

Impact of convective clearance on intra-dialytic potassium removal in chronic dialysis patients.

Hyperkalemia is frequently encountered and associated with cardio-vascular mortality in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. While online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) is thought to offer clinical benefit over high-flux HD, the impact of convective clearance on intra-dialytic potassium removal is unknown. Chronic dialysis patients undergoing outpatient HD or OL-HDF at a single center attached to a university hospital were recruited in a prospective observational study. Spent dialysate along with clinical and biological variables were collected during a single mid-week session. We included 141 patients, with 21 treated with HD and 120 with OL-HDF. Mean age was 65.7 ± 15.6 years with 87 (61.7%) men. Mean intra-dialytic potassium removal was 69.9 ± 34.2 mmol. Patients on OL-HDF and HD have similar intra-dialytic potassium removal, with mean values of 69.1 ± 34.2 and 74.3 ± 35.0, respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with intra-dialytic potassium removal were (decreasing order of effect size): dialysate potassium (β -15.5, p < 0.001), pre-HD serum potassium (β 9.1, p < 0.001), and session time (β 7.8, p = 0.003). In OL-HDF patients, substitution flow was not associated with potassium removal. In chronic dialysis patients, convective therapy provided by OL-HDF does not affect potassium removal when compared with high-flux HD. Moreover, the importance of convective volume is not associated with potassium clearance in OL-HDF. Overall, session length and serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient are the main determinants of potassium clearance regardless of dialysis modality. Those results should inform clinicians on the optimal therapy in chronic dialysis patients in the era of OL-HDF.

Comparative Analysis of the Profitability of Major Value-added Activities Along the Pineapple Value Chain in Ghana

This study aimed to analyze the profitability of sampled pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers in Ghana, which will help to assess how these actors optimize available resources to generate profits and achieve production efficiency. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used with interview schedules as the data collection instruments. The sample size was 320, 66, and 169, pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers respectively. The study found that pineapple production and processing were profitable, but marketing was not. The results showed a significant difference in the profit share of the group actors, highlighting that the profit share of each actor along the pineapple value chain is different. The results also showed that income, capital, and planting materials were the main determinants of farmers' profits. On the other hand, capital, pineapples, and packaging materials were the predictors of processors' profits. While transport, revenue, and loading and unloading costs predicted the marketer's profit. Based on these findings, the study recommended that NGOs and other partner agencies promote the pineapple industry in various ways to reduce poverty by providing credit facilities to actors to increase their productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Determinants of recovery time from severe acute malnutrition among cholera-exposed and unexposed children in Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study.

There is a vicious interplay between severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and diarrheal diseases including cholera. The lack of sufficient evidence on the time to recovery and its determinants among children with cholera prompted this investigation. The study aimed to evaluate the time to recovery and determinants among children with severe acute malnutrition, comparing cholera-exposed and unexposed children. A prospective cohort study was carried out from September 10, 2022, to February 21, 2023, among 224 children below 15 years. The study was conducted at cholera treatment centers and nearby communities in the Bale and Guji Zones of Oromia Regional state in Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information and anthropometric measurements were conducted weekly. After checking all assumptions, a multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to identify independent determinants of time to recovery using an adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Nearly 80% of participants recovered from SAM with a recovery rate of 40/1000 person-week observation and a median time to recovery of 21 days [Inter Quartile Range14-28]. The recovery time from SAM for cholera-exposed children was delayed by 54% [ARR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30-0.69] compared to unexposed children. Similarly, the recovery time from SAM for food-insecured families was delayed by 39% [ARR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38-0.96] compared to food-secured families. Moreover, children with more than three meal frequencies per day had 1.61 times [ARR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.04-2.50] higher probability of fast recovery from SAM, compared to children with less than three meals. Children from families with good attitudes toward nutrition had more than two times [ARR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.45-3.41] higher probability of faster recovery from SAM than families with poor attitudes. The study revealed that cholera exposure is one of the main determinants of prolonged recovery time for children with SAM. Food insecurity, meal frequency, and the attitude of parents toward children's dietary habits were determinants for the recovery of children from SAM. The findings imply the need for designing interventions to enhance child feeding during cholera illness, focusing on key determinants.

Cost benefit analysis of reducing speed limits in Athens to 30 Km/h

The objective of this research is to investigate public acceptance and socio-economic feasibility of reducing speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in certain parts of the road network of Athens, Greece. A questionnaire was developed based on the method of stated preference for various hypothetical scenarios of time, fuel consumption and the probability of road crash to investigate road user preferences towards the reduction of speed limit and identify the most important influencing factors preferences. A total of 408 respondents were asked to choose among three alternative proposals: a) Reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h throughout the urban network except on major arteries, b) Reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h throughout the urban network and c) No Reduction (do nothing). For the analysis, two binomial logistic regression models and two multinomial logistic regression models were developed. The results indicate that increase in travel time, the importance of speed in causing a crash, the number of crashes the user has been involved in, the respondent’s driving habits are the main determinants of the users’ preferences. Furthermore, a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) was conducted to understand the sustainability implications of the implementation of lower speed limits (i.e., 50 to 30 km/h). In terms of socio-economic impacts, the CBA considered safety-related metrics, namely the number of road casualties of all severity levels, and environmental-related metrics, namely reductions in CO2, NOx, PM levels as well as in road user surplus metrics namely travel time increase and fuel consumption reduction. Costs considered in the analysis result from increased time spent on the road. Consequently, the investment and the operational costs along with the socio-economic impact are estimated and monetized, up to the year 2030. The positive Net Present Value (NPV) and the high Internal Rate of Return (IRR), i.e. 64.5 %, obtained as well as the sensitivity analysis results, indicate the feasibility of this policy over time. Therefore, speed limit reductions are economically viable and so, should be encouraged.

Thermodynamic Modeling of the Composition of the Main Background Ions and Determination of Gas-Kinetic Temperature in the Normal (“Hot”) Inductively Coupled Plasma

Thermodynamic Modeling of the Composition of the Main Background Ions and Determination of Gas-Kinetic Temperature in the Normal (“Hot”) Inductively Coupled Plasma

Plant functional type and peat properties determine elemental transfer in boreal mire vegetation

Uptake of elements into plants is an integral part of many environmental impact assessments. Typically, the plant uptake is determined using an empirical soil-to-plant transfer factor (CR). The elemental concentrations in plants are expected to vary with plant species and plant functional type (PFT), but also according to soil and element properties. Specifically, the uptake of essential elements is regulated, and likely less related to soil concentrations than the uptake of non-essential elements. In this study, the impact of PFT, species and environmental factors on the CR of mire plants was tested. The plants included in the study were four common boreal peatland species (Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium oxycoccus, Eriophorum vaginatum and Carex rostrata) sampled from 40 minerogenic mires along an age gradient.The results show that while plant species and PFT (heathers and sedges) are the main determinants of the CR value, also environmental factors, such as peat C:N ratio, are important. Further, concentrations of essential elements in plants were only weakly correlated to peat concentrations, whereas the correlation was stronger for non-essential elements and elements utilized at trace amounts.The results of this study verify that CR values may vary substantially between peatland plant species and PFTs. Further, the results suggest that it is relevant to include effects of PFTs on CR and among-species variation in environmental impact assessments. This is because the PFT may have a large impact on the exposure pathways to humans, which could, for example, be berries or animal feed, and also due to the uncertainties of the composition of the future vegetation communities. Since CR varies systematically with several soil properties, there may be potential for adjusting the CR values for expected environmental changes, and thereby reduce the uncertainties of empirical CR values determined from a broad range of environmental conditions.

How Pharmaceutical Residues Occur, Behave, and Affect the Soil Environment.

Many pharmaceuticals (PhMs), compounds for the treatment or prevention of diseases in humans and animals, have been identified as pollutants of emerging concern (PECs) due to their wide environmental distribution and potential adverse impact on nontarget organisms and populations. They are often found at significant levels in soils due to the continuous release of effluent and sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the release of which occurs much faster than the removal of PhMs. Although they are generally present at low environmental concentrations, conventional wastewater treatment cannot successfully remove PhMs from influent streams or biosolids. In addition, the soil application of animal manure can result in the pollution of soil, surface water, and groundwater with PhMs through surface runoff and leaching. In arid and semiarid regions, irrigation with reclaimed wastewater and the soil application of biosolids are usual agricultural practices, resulting in the distribution of a wide number of PhMs in agricultural soils. The ability to accurately study the fate of PhMs in soils is critical for careful risk evaluation associated with wastewater reuse or biosolid return to the environment. The behavior and fate of PhMs in soils are determined by a number of processes, including adsorption/desorption (accumulation) to soil colloids, biotic (biodegradation) and abiotic (chemical and photochemical degradation) degradation, and transfer (movement) through the soil profile. The sorption/desorption of PhMs in soils is the main determinant of the amount of organic chemicals taken up by plant roots. The magnitude of this process depends on several factors, such as crop type, the physicochemical properties of the compound, environmental properties, and soil-plant characteristics. PhMs are assumed to be readily bioavailable in soil solutions for uptake by plants, and such solutions act as carriers to transport PhMs into plants. Determining microbial responses under exposure conditions can assist in elucidating the impact of PhMs on soil microbial activity and community size. For all of the above reasons, soil remediation is critical when soil pollutants threaten the environment.

Analysis of the determinants of the regeneration and growth of Cedar Atlas (Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière), an endangered endemic taxon in Morocco-Case of the Middle Atlas forests

Abstract In the present study, the Azrou cedar Atlas forest (Cedrus atlantica), taken as a case study of the Middle Atlas forest, show a regressive evolution both in time and in space. Although this forest has been the subject of several successive regeneration attempts, its condition is far from satisfactory. The present study focuses on a statistical and Correspondence factor analysis (CFA) to highlight the main determinants of this regeneration and Cedar Atlas growth. The results obtained revealed three classes of regeneration, namely (1) a group of poor regeneration, (2) a group of no regeneration, and (3) a group of average to good regeneration. Indeed, the regeneration of Cedar Atlas forests is linked to certain biophysical and socio-economic descriptors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Scheffé test and stepwise regression showed also that the soil depth, stand density, and basal area are the determinant variables that best explain the Atlas cedar growth. To this end, a profound reflection on the vectors of change must be imposed in order to lead to the conservation and sustainable management of Cedar Atlas forests in Morocco. New approaches to forest management are needed.

Investigating the effect of peer-led educational intervention on behaviors related to pubertal health and its determinants in high school girls of Genaveh, Iran: Application of social cognitive theory

Background Empowering adolescents in the field of puberty health is one of the important goals of public health programs. The present study was carried out with the aim of determining the effect of peer-led training on puberty-related behavior and its determinants using social cognitive theory. Methods: A total of 245 teenage girls were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group and the comparison group. The questionnaire measuring puberty-related behavior and its determinants was self-administered and completed before and 2 months after training in the two groups. One session for parents, four sessions for peer educators, and four sessions for participants were conducted for 1 month. Results: In the intervention group, unlike the comparison group, the mean scores of knowledge, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, self-control, social support, and behavior increased significantly after training (p <0.05). Based on regression analysis, outcome expectations and social support were the main determinants of puberty-related behavior (adjusted R2 = 0.464). Conclusion: The findings of this study support the effectiveness of the peer-led educational intervention based on social cognitive theory in the improvement of puberty-related behavior and its determinants, which can be used in the design of puberty-related health promotion programs. Further research to assess the longer-term outcomes and to examine other theories of behavior change are suggested.

A new approach for estimating trade elasticities and measuring the productivity effects associated with trade

Although there is an extensive literature on the measurement of total factor productivity (TFP) and its decomposition, the benefits of international trade for aggregate TFP have been less frequently studied. Combining the theoretical trade models and the so-called proxy-variable approach, this paper provides a new method for estimating trade elasticities based on a production model where trade elasticities and technological parameters are estimated simultaneously. Our proposed model is used to analyse the main determinants of the degrees of openness (embeddedness) of countries and sectors. Using data from the World Input-Output Database, we find that the pecuniary productivity gains attributable to embeddedness tend, on average, to offset its effect on sectors’ underlying productivity. We also use the model to measure the different factors affecting productivity changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We find that the trade-related consequences are important in explaining the contraction in countries’ productions.

How Labor Induction Methods have Evolved Throughout History, from the Egyptian Era to the Present Day: Evolution, Effectiveness, and Safety.

Induction of labor is currently used for one in ten pregnancies globally. Methods used for induction have shown major changes over time. Medical interventions trace their origins back to ancient civilizations, with evidence suggesting that they began over 5,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. During this era, the Egyptians employed natural remedies such as castor oil and date fruits for the induction of labor. These early practices highlight the rich history and long-standing tradition of using natural substances in medical treatments, laying the foundation for the development of modern obstetric practices. After that, Hippocrates practised mammary stimulation and mechanical cervical dilatation about 2500 years ago in Greece. Since then, there has been a marked change, especially over the last century, with the development of safer and more effective methods. Mechanical methods were the main method until the early 20th century, which were then substituted by pharmacological methods with more experiments in the mid to late 20th century. Nowadays, effectiveness, safety, cost and client satisfaction are the main determinants of the methods used. This review summarizes how labor induction practices have evolved from the Egyptian era to the present-day randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis evidence, paying attention to their effectiveness, safety, and future directions.