Trend Of Reduction Research Articles

Climate variability impact on cotton production in North Cote d’Ivoire

In Cote d’Ivoire, cotton ranks third in exports after cocoa and coffee. Moreover, it constitutes a vital economic resource in Cote d’Ivoire savannah region. Due to climate variability, the cotton sowing period, from May 20 to June 20, is less and less respected. In this context, this study objective was to analyze, in conjunction with cotton production, the wet season length, from 1992-1995 to 2015-2018 in Korhogo region. So, stationarity tests were used as well as two climatographic types, rainfall, potential evapotranspiration (PLv-PET) and PET-Relative Humidity (ETP-RH), reinforced by means comparisons. For this purpose, data were collected from airports aeronautical operation and meteorological development company at Korhogo station. Overall, there was a non-significant downward trend in rainfall from 1990 to 2023. Looking deeply, this reduction trend was 58 days decrease (-27%) in wet season length on 2015-2018 period, compared to an average 214±16 days annual length on 1992-1995. In fact, the wet period has shrunk significantly, from 151±24 to 103±6 days (-32%). At the same time, there was no significant difference in active growing season duration, between periods 1992-1995 and 2015-2018, although 22 days decrease was observed. Indeed, despite the relatively short study's period length, there was shortening wet periods, combined with late rainy seasons start. Consequently, farmers sowed later. These conclusions lead to a suggestion of new cotton variety’s introduction with adapted cycle, as well as new agricultural practice initiations. These include forecasting sowing dates by area and adapting alternative cultivation techniques, which improve soil's useful water reserve.

P-1725. A Cluster Randomized Trial of Bundled Interventions to Reduce Inappropriate Antibiotic Use in the Outpatient Setting

Abstract Background Antibiotics are often inappropriately prescribed in the outpatient settings. Among the most common reasons for inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions are upper respiratory tract infections (URI) which are known or highly likely to be viral in origin. Our aim was to test a bundle of complementary interventions to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting for patients presenting with various URIs. Here we present preliminary data from the cluster randomized trial using pre-intervention baseline data (August to October 2023) and after implementation of interventions (December 2023 to March 2024).Figure 1.Comparison of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for URTIs between the intervention and control groups during the pre-intervention (Aug 2023 – Oct 2023) and post-intervention phases (Dec 2023 - Mar 2024). Methods We randomly assigned 2 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCC) in Qatar to receive a 4 component intervention: 1) extensive provider education; 2) providing an algorithm driven decision support tool based on professional society recommendations for appropriate use of antibiotics for various URIs; 3) option for deferred prescription; and 4) monthly feedback to all physicians regarding their prescription patterns including anonymized comparison with their peers. Two PHCCs in the control group received a single intervention which was randomly chosen. For this study, we identified 4 common URIs for which professional society guidelines do not recommend use of antibiotics (acute bronchitis, acute laryngitis, common cold, influenza without mention of pneumonia). Prescriptions written and corresponding diagnoses were retrieved from the electronic medical records. Children < 2 years of age, and individuals with any immune compromising condition or medications were excluded.Table. 1Appropriate and Inappropriate use of antibiotics in URTIs Results A total of 7,246 antibiotic prescriptions were written for 4 included URIs during the study period. The percentage of inappropriate prescriptions in the intervention group decreased from 67.7% to 62% in the first 4 months after the intervention (p-value >0.05). The proportion of inappropriate prescriptions in the control groups remained steady at 70% before and after the intervention. Conclusion While not statistically significant in this early stage, our preliminary results indicate a trend in reduction in inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics for URIS in the outpatient setting. Disclosures Adeel A. Butt, MD, MS, Gilead Sciences: Grant/Research Support

Effect of SGLT2i on cardiac remodeling in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Abstract Background/Introduction Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are one of the cornerstone therapies for cardiorenal protection in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its use has been restricted in patients with very low glomerular filtration rates (GFR). Therefore, evidence of their use in patients with renal replacement therapy (RRT) is limited. Recent data suggest the positive impact of SGLT2i on cardiac remodeling parameters measured by echocardiogram in patients with heart failure.(1) The use of SGLT2i could be beneficial in patients with CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis as their cardiovascular risk is high and therapies are limited in such scenarios. Purpose Our aim was to evaluate changes in echocardiographic parameters of cardiac remodeling in patients with CKD and peritoneal dialysis after the use of SGLT2i. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of patients with KDIGO stage 5 CKD receiving peritoneal dialysis. Echocardiographic parameters were measured prior to the introduction of SGLT2i and at a median follow-up of 6.6 months after the initiation of SGLT2i. Results 11 patients were included, mean age was 69.2 years [9.2] , women represented 36.3% of the total and 54.6% of them had a history of congestive heart failure (HF) admission. (Table 1). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved (54% [9.9]) but subclinical damage was evident by GLS (-13.8% [4.5]). Left Atrial (LA) dilatation and dysfunction were frequent in the basal study, with a mean LA volume index maximum (LAVI max) of 42 ml/m2 [33.1-66.8] and LA reservoir strain of 20.9% [10.6] (Table 2). In the follow-up studies, there was a non-significant trend towards a reduction in LA volume at the expense of LAVI reservoir (-7.1ml/m2; p=0.09). However, there was no improvement regarding LA and LV function parameters. The medication was safe and well tolerated, no new HF admissions occurred during the follow-up. Conclusions Patients with CKD and peritoneal dialysis have echocardiographic signs of atrial enlargement and dysfunction, as well as subclinical LV damage, with reduced GLS. A non-significant trend of LAVI reservoir reduction was observed with the use of SGLT2i and medication was well tolerated. Larger studies are necessary. Table 1. Baseline characteristics Table 2. Echocardiographic parameters

The impact of bleaching using 15% carbamide peroxide on surface properties of CAD-CAM composite structures

This study aims to evaluate the effects of the home bleaching method on the surface microhardness and surface roughness of both polished and unpolished CAD-CAM resin composite materials. A polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) block, Enamic (VE), along with four resin composite blocks (RCB) (Grandio [GN], Lava™ Ultimate [LV], BRILLIANT Crios [B], and Cerasmart [CS]), were prepared to dimensions of 14 mm × 12 mm × 2 mm and were categorized into unpolished and polished groups (n = 4). Microhardness measurements were conducted using a Vickers microhardness tester (300 gf load for 20 s) at various time points: before home bleaching, after home bleaching with 15% Opalescence for 8 h and for 56 h, 24 h after bleaching, and one month after bleaching. Surface topography was examined using a stylus contact profilometer (n = 4) and a scanning electron microscope (n = 3) at ×40 k magnification. Control specimens from each group were also measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, two-way ANOVA and an independent t-test. The polished samples demonstrated a decrease in hardness after 8 h of bleaching, with the most significant reduction observed in VE, followed by GN, LV, CS, and BR. Significant differences were noted between all materials except for CS and LV. After 56 h, VE exhibited the greatest decrease in hardness, followed by GN, LV, BR, and CS, with significant differences between all materials except BR and CS. In the unpolished group, VE showed the highest reduction in hardness after 8 h of bleaching, followed by LV, GN, BR, and CS. After 56 h, the order was VE, LV, GN, CS, and BR, with significant differences observed between all materials except BR and CS. Similar trends in hardness reduction were observed at 24 h and 1 month post-bleaching. Additionally, hardness was significantly reduced after polishing for all materials. Overall, the reduction in hardness was significantly influenced by the type of material, the time, and the interaction between these factors (p < 0.05). Home bleaching using 15% carbamide peroxide significantly decreased microhardness. This effect was more pronounced in unpolished groups and with prolonged exposure. Further studies are recommended to determine the suitable concentration and duration of 15% carbamide peroxide application to ensure its use is safe for CAD-CAM materials.

The efficiency of isocyanate coating on the basalt fibre surface for the mechanical performance of elastomeric polyurethane composites

The influence of the isocyanate layer on fibre surface to mechanical, thermo-mechanical, processing, and morphological properties of basalt fibre (BF) reinforced elastomeric polyurethane (EPU) composites was examined by utilizing tensile test data and Shore hardness measurements, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt flow index (MFI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. BF was modified with an isocyanate functional group containing silane modifier. Isocyanate moieties on BF surface were confirmed via functional group analysis by infrared spectroscopy. SEM/EDX analysis was also used to visualize the sized and desized BF surfaces. Composite samples were fabricated using conventional processing methods, including extrusion and injection molding. Silane covering involving isocyanate functional group on fibre positively affected the tensile strength and tensile modulus of composites. Percent elongation of EPU showed a reduction trend with the incorporation of both sized and desized BF. The shore hardness of EPU increased by BF inclusions. According to DMA results, higher storage modulus values were obtained for surface-modified BF-filled composites compared to desized BF ones. BF additions resulted in no remarkable change in the MFI parameter of EPU. SEM images represented visual evidence for enhancement in mechanical performance by investigating better adhesion of the isocyanate layer of BF to EPU matrix concerning desized BF. The importance of surface sizing on BF surface in the case of BF-reinforced EPU composite applications was evaluated based on the compatibility of composite phases.

Long-Term Greenness Effects of Urban Forests to Reduce PM10 Concentration: Does the Impact Benefit the Population Vulnerable to Asthma?

This study investigates the effect of urban forests in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations and its subsequent impact on the number of asthma care visits. Understanding the mechanisms behind the relationship between the greenness of blocking forests and the reduction in PM is crucial for assessing the associated human health benefits. This study analyzed the influencing factors for reducing long-term PM10 concentrations, utilizing the vegetation index and meteorological variables. Results showed that the reduction in PM10 began in 2011, five years after the establishment of the blocking forest. The annual mean PM10 concentrations decreased significantly, driven primarily by summer wind speed and summer Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), explaining approximately 62% of the variation. A decrease in the number of asthma care visits was observed, similar to the trend of PM10 reduction in the residential area and the increase in the greenness of the blocking forest. The influx of PM into the city, primarily driven by prevailing northwesterly winds, may have been mitigated by the growing blocking forest, contributing to a reduction in asthma-related medical visits among urban residents. In particular, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the increase in the PM2.5/PM10 ratio in residential areas has become more closely linked to the increase in asthma-related medical visits. It suggests another PM2.5 emission source in the residential area. The number of asthma care visits among children (under 11) and the elderly (over 65) exhibited a strong positive correlation with PM10 levels and a negative correlation with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This suggests a link between air quality improvement from the greenness of blocking forests with their capacity to capture PM and respiratory health outcomes, especially for the vulnerable groups to asthma. These findings highlight the need to manage pollutant sources such as transportation and the heating system in residential areas beyond industrial emissions as the point pollution source. The management policies have to focus on protecting vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, by implementing small-sized urban forests to adsorb the PM2.5 within the city and establishing blocking forests to prevent PM10 near the industrial complex.

Hermetia illucens in the Process of Kitchen Waste Biodegradation: The Effect of Different Approaches to Waste Storage on the Microbiological Profile and Nutritional Parameters of the Larvae.

This study assessed the bioconversion efficiency of Hermetia illucens larvae (BSFL) fed on food waste stored under different conditions, focusing on the nutritional and microbial quality of the resulting larval biomass. Food waste was prepared as a fresh diet (FD) or naturally contaminated and stored at 20-22 °C (OS-T, opened storage-tempered) or under refrigeration, at 5-8 °C (CS-C, closed storage-cooled). Refrigerated, closed storage (CS-C) led to the highest rates of waste reduction (91.0%) and bioconversion efficiency (30.2%), with larvae exhibiting the highest protein content (36.83%) compared to the FD (35.5%) and OS-T (34.71%) groups. Microbiome analysis revealed that the CS-C condition promoted beneficial yeasts like Pichia and Diutia, which correlated positively with improved protein content and microbial safety. In contrast, OS-T storage supported spoilage fungi (Mucor, Rhizopus) and elevated total aerobic counts (7.28 log CFU/g), indicating higher microbial risks. The observed trends in waste reduction and protein content most probably relate to differences in microbial profiles, as controlled cooling affected microbial dynamics, preserving substrate quality and supporting larval growth. These findings emphasize the importance of refrigerated, closed storage to optimize bioconversion, improve larval nutritional value, and minimize microbiological hazards.

Optimization of green tea extract, rosemary extract, and rice bran in multifunctional bread: A concept for reduction of acrylamide and phytic acid.

This research aimed to produce a multifunctional bread by adding hydrothermally processed rice bran (RB), green tea extract (GTE), and rosemary extract (RE). In the first step, hydrothermal processing was used to reduce the amount of phytic acid in RB, which decreased by 55%. Based on the acrylamide amount, texture profile analysis, and color parameters, 3% RB was selected as the optimum concentration in the bread formulation. The acrylamide amount in the RB-fortified bread showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction trend with the addition of GTE and RE. So the lowest amount of acrylamide concentration was reported in the sample containing 1.5% GTE (17.18ppb). The addition of GTE and RE significantly (p<0.05) decreased the hardness value of bread samples. However, the cohesiveness, springiness, and adhesiveness parameters of bread samples were significantly (p<0.05) increased by the addition of GTE and RE. In addition, the fortified breads with 0.1% RE and 1.5% GTE exhibited the lowest and highest ΔE values, respectively. The addition of GTE and RE caused no adverse effect on the sensory properties of the RB-fortified bread. In conclusion, the combination of RB, GTE, and/or RE is an effective strategy for providing health benefits as well as reducing acrylamide formation in this food.

Non-sporeforming thermoduric bacteria vary considerably in thermal resistance in milk media between strains from the same genus.

Thermoduric bacteria, defined as those that survive temperatures considerably above their maximum growth temperature, are enumerated in milk using the Laboratory Pasteurization Count test. This test selects for bacteria that show limited cell count reductions under vat pasteurization conditions (i.e., 63°C for 30 min), however, this test has limitations. One limitation of the Laboratory Pasteurization Count is that the test selects for a broad group of thermoduric bacteria, many of which are not reported to survive HTST pasteurization, the most commonly used pasteurization method in the United States. There are 2 distinct groups of thermoduric bacteria that can impact milk quality if implicated in finished product: sporeforming and non-sporeforming. Contemporary studies have primarily focused on sporeforming bacteria leaving a gap in research regarding non-sporeforming thermoduric bacteria. Therefore, the goals of this study were to i) assemble a set of non-sporeforming thermoduric bacteria previously isolated from heat treated dairy matrices, and ii) use that set to identify one or more laboratory enumeration method(s) that select for thermoduric bacteria relevant to contemporary HTST treated dairy products. To that end, a set of 38 isolates of non-sporeforming thermoduric bacteria were inoculated into skim milk broth, and independently subjected to 4 different heat treatments (A: 63°C for 30 min, B: 65°C for 15 min, C: 68°C for 7 min and D: 70°C for 5 min), followed by plating using 2 different media types (Standard Methods Agar and Aerobic Count Petrifilms), each of which were incubated at 32°C and enumerated after 3 different incubation periods (24h, 48h, and 72h). Results from each unique method were compared with the standard method (i.e., Laboratory Pasteurization Count test). Results indicate that Aerobic Count Petrifilms over estimate cell count reductions for some genera suggesting that Aerobic Count Petrifilms may not be an appropriate media for enumerating these genera. Heat treatment D (i.e., 70°C for 5 min) showed a trend for higher reduction in cell counts compared with heat treatment A (i.e., standard method) and 48h incubation allowed enough time for bacterial recovery. Therefore, we propose the evaluation of heat treatment D (i.e., 70°C for 5 min), followed by plating with Standard Methods Agar and incubation of 48h at 32°C in future studies of naturally contaminated milk. Our results also suggest that there is considerable variability in thermal resistance between isolates of the same genus. These phenotypic differences may be driven by yet unknown genotypic features that should be further examined. Ultimately, this study provides an update to the existing knowledge of non-sporeforming thermoduric bacteria and future studies should focus on evaluating non-sporeforming thermoduric bacteria in naturally contaminated dairy products.

Advancements and Applications of Hardware Adders: Principles, Functions, and Future Challenges

This paper reviews the principles and applications of various types of adders, including Half Adder, Full Adder, Ripple-Carry Adder (RCA), Lookahead Carry Adder (LCA), Carry-Bypass Adder (CBA), and Carry Select Adder (CSA). The basic logic of each adder type is analyzed, emphasizing their performance characteristics, such as area, power consumption, and delay. Applications of adders in fields like image processing, portable electronics, and medical data encryption are discussed, highlighting how different types of adders are tailored to specific performance requirements. Approximate Full Adders (AFA) and low-power, high-speed adders are introduced as solutions for energy-efficient image processing and portable electronic applications, respectively. Challenges in reducing power consumption and improving approximate computing accuracy are addressed, with a focus on novel design approaches such as powerless AND gates, groundless OR gates, and error detection and correction methods. Future expectations for adder optimization are explored, including trends in power reduction, computing efficiency, and improved performance for various application scenarios.

Poverty of the population in the Far North of Russia: Statistical estimates

Subject. The article discusses the issues of poverty and deprivation of the population of the Far North regions of Russia. Objectives. The study aims at statistical analysis of the poverty of population living in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Kamchatka Krai, Magadan and Murmansk Oblasts, Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets, and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs. Methods. The study employs the statistical analysis of Rosstat official data (surveys of the standard of living of the population in the regions of Russia). Results. I analyzed the poverty level of the population of the Far North regions in 2016–2022 in the context of income inequality (measured by cost indicators), deprivation signs that characterize the hardships of households in the regions of the Far North of Russia. Conclusions. Formation of poverty of the population in conditions of the Far North has its own specifics. It is determined by the effect of discomfort of living conditions (natural and climatic factors, terrain, risks of living) and an institutional factor. In the regions of the Far North of Russia, there is an unstable trend in poverty reduction. The number of poor people decreased significantly in 2016–2022 in the Murmansk and Magadan Oblasts, however, tense situation with poverty remains in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, and the Kamchatka Krai.

Analysis of Spatiotemporal Variation in Precipitation on the Loess Plateau from 1961 to 2016

This study utilized annual precipitation data collected from 76 meteorological stations located on the Loess Plateau and its adjacent regions. It employed empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the Mann–Kendall trend test (M-K), and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to investigate the spatial distribution patterns, temporal trends, and periodicity of annual precipitation from 1961 to 2016. The results showed the following: (1) The long-term averages of annual rainfall on the Loess Plateau exhibited a general decline from the southeast to the northwest, with certain areas demonstrating a trend of reduction radiating outward from the central region. This precipitation regime was fundamentally governed by the interplay between geographic coordinates and topo-graphical characteristics. Nevertheless, this spatial distribution pattern is expected to undergo changes in the future. (2) Annual precipitation in the southern and eastern parts decreased significantly, while the western part reported the greatest increase, and thus the spatial variability of precipitation will decrease in the future. (3) Annual precipitation on the Loess Plateau generally has a period of about 4 years. The wavelet coherence analysis reveals that El Niño events, occurring over a brief 4-year interval, correlate with diminished precipitation patterns across the eastern and southern sectors of the Loess Plateau, consequently attenuating the precipitation’s spatial variability throughout the entire geographical domain. Therefore, in the future, when El Niño occurs, it is necessary to prevent droughts in the eastern and southern regions of the Loess Plateau.

Quantitative Characterization Method of Additional Resistance Based on Suspended Particle Migration and Deposition Model

The phenomenon of pore blockage caused by injected suspended particles significantly impacts the efficiency of water injection and production capacity release in offshore oilfields, leading to increased additional resistance during the injection process. To enhance water injection volumes in injection wells, it is essential to quantitatively study the additional resistance caused by suspended particle blockage during water injection. However, there is currently no model for calculating the additional resistance resulting from suspended particle blockage. Therefore, this study establishes a permeability decline model based on the microscopic dispersion kinetic equation of particle transport. The degree of blockage is characterized by the reduction in fluid volume, and the additional resistance caused by particle migration and blockage during water injection is quantified based on the fluid volume decline. This study reveals that over time, suspended particles do not continuously migrate deeper into the formation but tend to deposit near the wellbore, blocking pores and increasing additional resistance. Over time, the concentration of suspended particles near the wellbore approaches the initial concentration of the injected water. An increase in seepage velocity raises the peak concentration of suspended particles, but when the seepage velocity reaches a certain threshold, its effect on particle migration stabilizes. The blockage location of suspended particles near the wellbore is significantly influenced by seepage velocity and time. An increase in particle concentration and size accelerates blockage formation but does not change the blockage location. As injection time increases, the fitted injection volume and permeability exhibit a power-law decline. Based on the trend of injection volume reduction, the additional resistance caused by water injection is calculated to range between 0 and 3.85 MPa. Engineering cases indicate that blockages are challenging to remove after acidification, and the reduction in additional resistance is limited. This study provides a quantitative basis for understanding blockage patterns during water injection, helps predict changes in additional resistance, and offers a theoretical foundation for targeted treatment measures.

Economic Benefits of Green Technologies: Ukrainian Experience

This study evaluates the economic benefits of implementing green technologies in Ukraine, focusing on their contribution to sustainable development, energy efficiency, and economic growth. The research aims to identify how renewable energy projects and energy-efficient technologies can enhance Ukraine’s energy security, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and foster innovation-driven economic modernization. A multi-method approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review, statistical data analysis, and a comparative evaluation of solar and wind energy projects. The study draws on secondary data from governmental and international agencies, spanning the period 2014-2023, and utilizes descriptive statistics to assess trends in job creation, investment, and reductions in natural gas imports. The results indicate significant progress in solar and wind energy development, with total installed capacities reaching 7.6 GW and 2.4 GW respectively by 2023. Employment in green sectors exceeded 50.000 jobs, with solar energy accounting for 40% of this workforce. Investments in green technologies totaled approximately €12 billion between 2014 and 2022, stimulating economic growth and reducing Ukraine’s natural gas imports by 15%. Despite these achievements, challenges remain, including financial barriers, regulatory instability, and outdated infrastructure. However, the study highlights opportunities for further progress through policy reforms, infrastructure modernization, and international cooperation. The research concludes that green technologies are essential for Ukraine’s transition to a sustainable economy, offering both environmental preservation and economic growth potential. These findings underscore the need for policy consistency, expanded financing options, and increased public awareness to maximize the economic benefits of green technologies in Ukraine. By leveraging these innovations, Ukraine can enhance its energy independence, competitiveness, and resilience in the global market.

Efficacy of Antimicrobial Dry Fog in Improving the Environmental Microbial Burden in an Inpatient Ward.

Background/Objectives: In healthcare environments with high microbial loads, effective infection control measures are critical for reducing airborne and surface contamination. One of the novel modalities in the achievement of these goals is the use of antimicrobial mists, such as droplets, in the form of dry fog. Although the usage of dry fog in the disinfection of contained healthcare microenvironments is well known, the effect of such a system in terms of a meaningful reduction in the microbial burden in an open inpatient ward is unclear. Our objective was to assess the impact of scheduled dry fogging on microbial reduction in such settings. Methods: We collected air and surface samples from rooms receiving daily, biweekly, or no fogging (controls) over six months, establishing the baseline contamination and evaluating the reduction trends in treated rooms. The "reduction effect" was measured by tracking microbial isolation trends before and after treatment, while the "degree of reduction" assessed differences across rooms with varied disinfection schedules. Results: The results indicate that scheduled dry fogging significantly reduced microbial loads in treated rooms, especially with daily disinfection (SE = 64.484, p = 0.002). The airborne contamination in treated rooms showed a strong downward trend over time (SE = 19.192, p < 0.001). Surface contamination remained challenging due to frequent recontamination; however, treated rooms exhibited a consistent reduction in microbial presence (SE = 2.002, p = 0.010), confirming dry fogging's role as a valuable adjunct to routine cleaning. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study highlights that dry fogging effectively reduces microbial loads in open, high-traffic healthcare environments, supporting its use as part of a multimodal infection control strategy.

Development And Countermeasures of Carbon Finance in The Construction Industry Under the Background of The Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality

Under the background of the carbon emission peaking and carbon neutrality and the trend of global emission reduction, how to deeply meet China’s “3060” carbon target is an important proposition for the development of various industries. As a typical high-carbon emitting traditional industry, China's construction industry has a particularly high demand for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. This paper comprehensively examines a number of papers to explore the issue of the impact of carbon finance on the development of decarbonisation in the construction industry from the current situation, distinguishing between the practical problems posed by each of the influencing factors. This paper delves into the challenges and countermeasures faced by the construction industry itself, the market, and the government in the development of carbon finance. It further explores the carbon finance development model throughout the entire lifecycle of the construction industry. In line with the inherent needs of low-carbon development in the construction industry while promoting the realisation of win-win long-term benefits in terms of both economic and environmental benefits.

Inequalities in health and health-care accessibility among older people in China

Abstract While health inequalities among older people have long been a research focus and are now high on policy agendas in developed societies, they have often been neglected in less developed ones, despite them experiencing rapid population ageing since the turn of the century. Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) cohort study (N = 63,578), this paper measures the health status of older people using the Quality of Well-Being scale, and estimates time trends in health inequality with concentration indices, followed by an investigation of their social determinants. Its specific focus is health care accessibility (HA) in the period 2005–2018, when China experienced an unprecedented advance in health-related social policy reform. The analysis reveals pro-rich inequalities in health among older people, but also shows that these have narrowed gradually over the past two decades, which is largely attributable to greater equity in access to health care. Within this general trend of inequality reduction, however, the role of HA has declined and social determinants such as education now have an increasing influence on health inequalities. These findings suggest that social policies targeting not only health improvements among older people but also health inequalities earlier in the life course are required if policy makers want to promote health equity in later life.

Treatment effects of vitamin D3 and marine omega‐3 fatty acids on plasma ADRD biomarkers: Exploring sex and race differences

AbstractBackgroundThere is an urgent need to identify novel, accessible and affordable strategies to prevent cognitive decline and progression in the Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) continuum. Vitamin D3 and marine omega‐3 fatty acids (omega‐3s) supplements show promise for cognitive protection, with potential variations in their effects by sex or race. However, to date, no randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have tested their impact on emerging plasma‐based biomarkers with potential utility to predict ADRD pathogenesis.MethodsVitamin D and Omega‐3 Trial (VITAL) is a completed, nation‐wide, 2x2 factorial placebo‐controlled RCT testing vitamin D3 (2000 IU/d) and omega‐3s (1 g/d) for cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. We included a Boston‐area sub‐cohort of 929 randomized VITAL participants who provided blood samples at baseline, 2‐year, and/or 4‐year follow‐up. Plasma ADRD biomarkers, including an N‐terminal tau fragment (NT1), amyloid‐β (Aβ)‐40, Aβ‐42, neurofilament‐light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), were measured. We used multivariable‐adjusted repeated measures models for data analysis; sex and race were pre‐specified effect modifiers.ResultsAmong 929 participants, the mean age was 65 years; 49.2% were females; 17.3% were from racial and/or ethnic minority backgrounds, including 8.2% Black adults. Neither vitamin D3 nor omega‐3s, compared to placebo, significantly reduced ADRD biomarkers overall across 4 years of treatment; however, there was a trend for reduction in Aβ‐40:Aβ‐42 ratio over 4 years for vitamin D3 versus placebo [percent difference (95% confidence interval [CI]): ‐1.2 (‐2.7, 0.3)]. Subgroup analyses uncorrected for multiple‐testing suggested interactions by sex and race. Vitamin D3 versus placebo resulted in a reduction in NT1 among males (‐2.7%) but not females (p‐interaction=0.08). Among Black participants, vitamin D3 versus placebo resulted in a 16% reduction in NfL levels [95% CI, ‐30.5% to 1.1%; p‐interaction=0.06], while omega‐3s versus placebo showed a 12.4% reduction in GFAP levels [95% CI, ‐21.5% to ‐2.2%; p‐interaction=0.049].ConclusionIn this RCT sub‐cohort of 929 older adults, neither vitamin D3 nor omega‐3s supplements significantly reduced selected plasma ADRD biomarkers over 4 years. We observed potential differences by sex and race in reductions of some ADRD biomarkers in response to these supplements which warrant further investigation in a larger sample.

Study of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of lipsticks and soaps made with phycoerythrin coated with chitosan extracted from the cyanobacterium Aliinostoc oryzae

The use of various artificial dyes in the preparation of cosmetics for over half a century has led to an increase in cancer diseases in humans. On the other hand, the excessive use of synthetic antibiotics available on the market, which have been used for treating humans and animals for over half a century, has significantly reduced the efficacy of many antibiotics due to the development of bacterial resistance. In contrast, phycoerythrin (PE) as a natural pigment possesses potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, this article aims to use PE to create soap and cosmetic lipsticks that not only ensure consumer health but also avoid the harmful effects of chemical compounds present in cosmetic products. In the present study, PE extracted from the cyanobacterium Aliinostoc oryzae was microencapsulated with chitosan and added to the formulation of solid soap and lipstick. All standard tests were performed at intervals of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days and compared with controls. The percentage change in the hardness of lipsticks enriched with PE was significantly higher than the control (p ≤ 0.05), while the amount of force required during use was significantly lower than the control (p ≤ 0.05). In soaps enriched with PE, the moisture reduction trend over time was steeper in soaps without PE. Additionally, the antioxidant activity and insoluble substances in alcohol in PE-enriched soaps were significantly higher than the control sample, while the percentage of lipid compounds and the unsaponifiable matter of free alkali in the control sample were significantly higher than the Soap + PE sample (p ≤ 0.05). Over time, the L* color component of all enriched products decreased significantly, while the a*, b*, and ΔE color components increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the total microbial population, inhibition zone diameter, and peroxide index in enriched products were significantly lower than the control. Overall, the enriched products did not cause any skin sensitivity, and color changes and stability remained consistent over time. All these results confirm the claim that chitosan-coated PE, as an effective additive, has significant efficacy in cosmetic products.

Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in HIV: The Unseen Impact of Visceral Fat

While modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people with HIV (PWH) increases life expectancy, there is still an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in this population. As one factor associated with this increased risk is excess visceral abdominal fat (EVAF), the Visceral Adiposity Measurement and Observations Study (VAMOS) aimed to assess the impact of EVAF on CVD risk in PWH taking modern ART. Participants were grouped according to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) surface area &lt;130 cm2 (non-EVAF group) or ≥130 cm2 (EVAF group), quantified by CT scan. Findings presented at IDWeek 2024 revealed significant differences between EVAF and non-EVAF groups in 10-year atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk score, as well as many of their individual components. VAMOS also showed correlations between increasing VAT surface area and increasing 10-year ASCVD risk score and insulin resistance measures. Accordingly, VAT may represent a targetable factor to reduce ASCVD risk. Also shown was an inverse relationship between growth hormone (GH) levels and VAT surface area. As GH reductions related to obesity are associated with elevated CVD risk, increasing GH levels may consequently reduce ASCVD risk score. Analysis of two Phase III trials of the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue tesamorelin, which can significantly reduce VAT in PWH, was also presented at IDWeek 2024. A significant overall trend in 10-year ASCVD risk score reduction was shown in tesamorelin-treated participants, around half of which were already taking lipid lowering therapies. This suggests a benefit of targeting and reducing EVAF to further impact ASCVD risk.