Activities Nationwide Research Articles

The impact of environmental regulation and industrial agglomeration on air pollution: on the spatial spillover perspective

AbstractThis paper uses the panel data of 275 prefecture-level cities in China in 2003–2019 and spatial Durbin model to verify the impact of environmental regulation and industrial agglomeration on air pollution. This paper finds that the enforcement intensity of environmental regulations (ER) is not consistent among cities. The effects of strict ER on air pollution in local city are the inverted-U-shape curve. The effects of more stringent ER in adjacent cities j on air pollution in city i are the U-shape curve. The more stringent ER in local city may lead to the decrease in agglomeration of manufacturing sectors (AM), thereby reducing air pollution. The polluting firms may shift production from neighboring cities j with stringent ER to city i with lax ER, thereby leading to the increase in AM, which aggravate air pollution in city i. The more stringent ER in local city i may lead to the increase in agglomeration of productive service industry (AS), thereby reducing air pollution. To avoid the transfer of polluting industrial sectors, the paper suggests that the more stringent implementation of ER should become nationwide actions.

Characteristics and Treatment Rate of Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Clinical data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment rates in the United States are sparse. To evaluate HCV treatment rates in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This retrospective cohort study used data from the deidentified Optum Cliniformatics Data Mart Database (2014-2021) on patients with HCV in the DAA and COVID-19 eras. The database includes patients with private health insurance in the US. The treatment rate and changes over time were assessed with adjusted log-binomial regression, and factors associated with treatment were examined using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 133 348 patients with HCV (79 567 [59.7%] men; mean [SD] age, 59.7 [12.3] years; 4448 [3.3%] Asian, 24 662 [18.5%] Black, and 74 750 [56.1%] White individuals) were included; 38 180 (26.8%) had HCV RNA data, and of those, 20 277 (53.1%) had positive HCV RNA. Overall, 13 214 patients with positive HCV RNA tests (65.2%) received DAA treatment; 6456 of 6634 patients treated with DAAs (97.3%) achieved sustained virologic response. After adjusting for age, sex, and race and ethnicity, the treatment rate in 2018 was 0.5 times greater than the rate in 2014 (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.42-1.59) but declined after 2018, decreasing from 64.8% to 61.2%, and especially after 2019, when it decreased to less than 60% (P < .001). The number of patients with viremic HCV identified in between April 2020 and March 2021 also decreased to 496 from 2761 and 3258 in the preceding 2 years. Receiving care from a gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist with advanced care practitioner (ie, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) was independently associated with greater odds of DAA treatment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.64; 95% CI, 1.07-1.50). Patients with decompensated cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were 31% less likely to receive treatment compared with those without (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.90). In this cohort study, less than two-thirds of insured patients with viremic HCV received DAA treatment, with declines in both the treatment rate and the number of viremic HCV diagnoses since 2019 and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further efforts are needed to increase HCV diagnosis and treatment, especially for those with cirrhosis and HCC. An urgent call for nationwide actions to improve access to DAA treatment, community outreach programs, and specialists through referral pipelines is needed in the United States to stay on track to meet the World Health Organization goal of reducing the burden of viral hepatitis with the eventual goal to eliminate viral hepatitis.

Prevalence of refractive errors in Hungary reveals three-fold increase in myopia.

To examine the prevalence and composition of refractive errors in Hungary. Nationwide cross-sectional data collected between 2014 and 2019 were analysed from the Comprehensive Health Screening Program of Hungary, which provided spectacle dioptric power and autorefractometry data for 68 227 people (35 850 women and 32 377 men). Their age distribution, 18-99y, was similar to the national demographic distributions. Of the total population, 16.50% of the refractive errors exhibited hyperopia, 40.05% emmetropia, and 43.45% myopia. Myopia was 3 times more frequent (58.7%) in younger ages (18-35y of age) compared to older age groups (19.4% of those 56-70y of age; P<0.001). High myopia showed a low prevalence (0.21%), and an increase parallel with ageing (r=0.716; P=0.009). Myopia is the most frequent refractive error in Hungary. The prevalence of myopia is especially increased, up to 2-3 times, in the younger age groups. Nationwide actions need to be taken to reduce the onset of myopia and its associated consequences.

Geographic variation in the outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure: analysis of a nationwide inpatient database

Abstract Background The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing in developed countries. Considering the significant socioeconomic burden of HF, nationwide actions against HF are indispensable. To that end, relevant information on regional variations among HF patients are required. Purpose We aimed to explore the geographic variations in the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized HF patients using a nationwide inpatient database. Methods and results Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database which is a nationwide inpatient database in Japan, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of 447,818 hospitalized patients with HF (median age 81 years, 238,192 men) who were admitted between January 2010 and March 2018 in Japan. We divided the study population into seven geographical regions based on the location of the admitted hospital. Background characteristics were almost similar among all seven regions. The implementation rates of intubation, hemodialysis, inotropic agent, and advanced circulatory supports including intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation varied among the seven regions. There was a significant difference in the length of hospital stay and the in-hospital mortality among the seven regions. The multivariable logistic regression analysis including baseline clinical charasteristics and medication administered within two days after hospital admission fitted with a generalized estimation equation for in-hospital mortality showed that there was still a significant difference in the in-hospital mortality among the seven regions (Table). Conclusion The analysis of a nationwide inpatient database showed that geographical variations existed regarding the outcomes of patients hospitalized for HF. This suggests the necessity of further efforts to establish a standardized medical care system in this era of HF pandemic. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grants from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (19AA2007 and H30-Policy-Designated-004) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (17H04141)

Response of Chinese Anesthesiologists to the COVID-19 Outbreak.

The coronavirus disease 2019, named COVID-19 officially by the World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland) on February 12, 2020, has spread at unprecedented speed. After the first outbreak in Wuhan, China, Chinese anesthesiologists encountered increasing numbers of infected patients since December 2019. Because the main route of transmission is via respiratory droplets and close contact, anesthesia providers are at a high risk when responding to the devastating mass emergency. So far, actions have been taken including but not limited to nationwide actions and online education regarding special procedures of airway management, oxygen therapy, ventilation support, hemodynamic management, sedation, and analgesia. As the epidemic situation has lasted for months (thus far), special platforms have also been set up to provide free mental health care to all anesthesia providers participating in acute and critical caring for COVID-19 patients. The current article documents the actions taken, lesson learned, and future work needed.

"La primera colección de datos estadí­sticos de toda la República". El cuestionario de Claudio Gay de 1841 y la producción de saber estatal en Chile republicano

En 1841, el naturalista francés Claudio Gay dirigió un cuestionario a todos los intendentes y gobernadores de la república de Chile solicitando información relativa al estado de las provincias y departamentos del paí­s. Esta encuesta reviste relevancia, porque fue una de las últimas acciones de alcance nacionalque Gay realizó como parte de las pesquisas que culminarí­an en la redacción de su monumental Historia fí­sica y polí­tica de Chile; pero también porque constituyó un antecedente importante –y relativamente desconocido– para el proceso de institucionalización de la estadí­stica chilena. Al analizar la estructura y contenido del cuestionario, así­ como algunos de los temas especí­ficos abordados en las respuestas departamentales, este artí­culo ofrece una evaluación de los factores cientí­ficos, polí­ticos e institucionales que determinaron los primeros esfuerzos de producción de saber estatal en el marco de la formación del Estado chileno.

Nationwide Actions Against Heart Failure Pandemic in Japan - What Should We Do From Academia?

Heart failure pandemic is rapidly approaching in Japan, requiring nationwide actions. In particular, the Japanese Circulation Society and related societies launched the Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease Control Act, which was passed by the National Diet, as the first ever legislative policy measure against stroke and cardiovascular disease. In association with this, actions against heart failure pandemic from the scientific field are also important. Because heart failure pandemic is a critical problem not only in Japan but also in many developed countries, we believe the nationwide approach, as summarized here, will greatly contribute to the development of cardiovascular medicine, particularly the management and treatment of heart failure worldwide.

Współczesne formy promocji czytelnictwa wśród dzieci i młodzieży w internecie jako inspiracja dla nauczyciela polonisty

&lt;p&gt;Artykuł dotyczy zagadnienia promocji czytelnictwa w Internecie. Przedstawione w nim przykłady kampanii i akcji ogólnopolskich, szkolnych oraz klasowych, blogów, vlogów i stron na Facebooku, organizowanych przez entuzjastów czytania, nauczycieli, bibliotekarzy czy rodziców, mają za zadanie z jednej strony wykazać, że Internet w ogromnym stopniu przyczynia się do popularyzowania czytelnictwa wśród dzieci i młodzieży, z drugiej zaś zainspirować nauczycieli do wykorzystywania tego medium w procesie edukacji polonistycznej.&lt;/p&gt;

Challenging issues and recent R&D activities for enhancing nuclear safety in Korea

Abstract Recent nation-wide measures and actions taken in Korea after March 11, 2011 for enhancing nuclear safety and reducing public concerns are discussed by considering the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accidents as well as the amended National Safety Act, recently occurred historic earthquakes, and advanced light water reactor developments in Korea. In addition, recent R&amp;D activities in the area of enhancing nuclear safety are introduced by focusing on the prevention and mitigation of severe accidents and the reduction of their environmental impact.

Mortality and disability from tobacco-related diseases in Brazil, 1990 to 2015.

The global tobacco epidemic has taken pandemic proportions, with about 1.3 billion users and 6 million annual deaths. This study aimed to analyze the trends in mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung, lips, oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus cancer in Brazil between 1990 and 2015. The study was made possible through a partnership between the Metrics and Health Assessment Institute (IHME), University of Washington, Ministry of Health and the GBD Brazil technical group, using estimates from the Global Disease Charge 2015 study. The mortality rates due to COPD fell; in 1990, it was 64.5/100,000 inhabitants and in 2015, 44.5, a decrease of 31%. For the various types of cancer related to smoking, the decrease was in a lower proportion than for COPD. For lung cancer, rates were 18.7/100,000 inhabitants in 1990 to 18.3 in 2015. For women, there is an upward curve for lung cancer from 1990 to 2015, with an increase of 20.7%. The study points to smoking as a risk factor for premature mortality and disability due to COPD and cancer. The significant reduction in tobacco prevalence in recent decades could explain reductions in tobacco-related disease trends. The higher mortality from lung cancer in women may express the delayed increase in smoking in this gender. Nationwide actions taken in the last decades have had a great effect on reducing mortality from tobacco-related diseases, but there are still major challenges, especially when it comes to women and young people.

Overview of proficiency testing provision in pharmaceutical area in Brazil and an educational scheme for determining mefenamic acid in raw materials

An historical review indicated that the provision of proficiency testing (PT) in the pharmaceutical area in Brazil is critical. Three providers were identified in the period between 2002 and 2015; only one provider was regular, but none was accredited according to the requirements of ISO 17043. A PT was organized without registration fees for educational purposes for the determination of mefenamic acid (2-[(2,3-dimethylphenyl)amino]benzoic acid) in raw materials. Proficiency test items consisted of a mixture of mefenamic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone in the mass ratio 90:10. This proportion was used to simulate an adulterated raw material. Homogeneity and stability testing was performed and indicated that the materials were suitable for use in the PT scheme. First, 68 pharmaceutical laboratories, of which five were ISO 17025 accredited, were contacted to disseminate information about the specific PT and the benefits of this important quality assurance tool. Then, the proficiency test items were sent to the 13 registered participants, of which two were ISO 17025 accredited. In addition, the participating laboratories were surveyed regarding the technical and management aspects of their quality management system (QMS), such as the status of the accreditation process according to the ISO 17025 requirements, staff training, equipment calibration and participation in other PT schemes. All 11 participants that reported results in the study adopted the United States Pharmacopoeia Official Method. Only one laboratory, representing 9.1 % of the participants, had an unsatisfactory z-score result. Factors such as the reduced number of ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, the low number of participants in the educational PT, the high proportion of laboratories that participated for the first time and the portion of the participants who did not know about PT and its importance were considered as determinants for the restricted availability of the PT supply for medicines, as evidenced in the present study in Brazil. Thus, an urgent need for nationwide actions was identified to promote the critical consciousness of managers regarding QMS in pharmaceutical laboratories, including the importance of participation in PT schemes, as well as the importance of encouraging the providers already structured to broaden their scope in this area.

The networked grassroots. How radicals outflanked reformists in the United States’ immigrant rights movement

ABSTRACTThis paper accounts for important shifts in the debate on immigration reform by considering the geographies of protest. Our findings point to the importance of urban hubs of activists and organisations that have worked with one another over extended periods of time. While these urban hubs constitute distinctive activist worlds, they have also connected to one another and coordinated nation-wide actions through a variety of networks (social media, interpersonal, and inter-organisational). Using interviews, network analysis, and data on funding, we show how this decentralised network evolved and eventually outflanked nationally centred and reformist advocacy organisations in recent anti-deportation campaigns.

Land management for erosion prevention: A case study for a Turkish nature reserve

As a result of landslides and soil erosion, a substantial amount of soil has been lost in Turkey. Particularly, fertile lands have long been faced with the threat of erosion, largely as a result of traditional (unplanned) land use practices. This threat is more evident in the Black Sea Region with its rough topography and rainy climate. The basic reason for this threat is the lack of organization in land use planning and control. Although proposals, in the context of this requirement, are included in national development plans, they have not been implemented. Accordingly, in this study research based on spatial data evaluation was carried out for Sera Lake located in Akcaabat, Trabzon, Turkey. For this purpose, temporal area, depth and volume changes of the lake were determined by utilizing topographic maps, aerial photographs and hydrographical measurements. To evaluate determined changes in the size of the lake and to produce suggestions to legislators for required sustainable land management activities, information on land use/cover types, land ownership and climate in the vicinity of the lake was utilized. As a result, it was determined that the area, depth and volume of the lake were significantly decreased during the last decades, as a consequence of erosion mainly caused by traditional land use practices; thus, the lake is threatened with the danger of extinction due to erosion. Precautions required for the alleviation of erosion and other adverse environmental effects which largely seem to be caused by harsh physical properties (caused basically by topography) of the region were discussed. In support of the information inherent to the region, traditional arable land use was logically determined as the basic non-natural factor (which is directly prone to erosion) to be rearranged in the context of sustainable land management. In this context, beyond nationwide actions (national agricultural policy and Soil Protection and Land Use Law), which may provide the required land management tools in the long term, it is proposed that planning and accordingly land management activities specific to the study area (Sera Valley) should immediately be commenced in close collaboration with the related public (owners or farmers). However, behaviours of different types of land users (engaged in commercial, subsistence and semi-subsistence farming) and also high number of owners and/or farmers (caused by small pieces of land parcels owned/used in shares) make the desired collaboration almost impossible. This socio-economical problem may be solved by further developing the current land registry and cadastre system in terms of customary land use rights, land use/cover changes and updating procedures.

Financing Problems of Small and Medium Business in Kazakhstan

In article theoretical provisions and practical recommendations about improvement of forms and methods of financing of the enterprises of small and average business in modern conditions of development of economy of the Republic Kazakhstan were considered. For achievement of the put purpose in work the following tasks were solved: the main forms and methods of financing of subjects of small and average business were revealed, the main problems of forms and methods the financings constraining development of financing of small and average business in PK were defined, and also the main directions on improvement of forms and methods of financing of the enterprises of small and average business in PK are developed. The practical importance of article consists in possibility of use of the conclusions formulated in work, offers and recommendations when developing nation-wide actions for support and stimulation of development of small and average business of the state, an also financially-credit institutes in practice.

Fees hike leads to UK student riot

Summary The UK government's plan to shift the cost of university teaching from the state to the students has led to mass protests and riots. Michael Gross reports.