Resource utilisation by smooth-coated otter in the rivers of Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand, India

AbstractAs we enter a chronic phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with uncontrolled infection rates in many places, relative regional susceptibilities are a critical unknown for policy planning. Tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection or antibodies are indicative but unreliable measures of exposure. Here instead, for four highly-affected countries, we determine population susceptibilities by directly comparing country-wide observed epidemic dynamics data with that of their main metropolitan regions. We find significant susceptibility reductions in the metropolitan regions as a result of earlier seeding, with a relatively longer phase of exponential growth before the introduction of public health interventions. During the post-growth phase, the lower susceptibility of these regions contributed to the decline in cases, independent of intervention effects. Forward projections indicate that non-metropolitan regions will be more affected during recurrent epidemic waves compared with the initially heavier-hit metropolitan regions. Our findings have consequences for disease forecasts and resource utilisation.

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In-situ resource utilisation manufacturing of optically transparent glass from lunar regolith simulant

Journal of Materials Science ◽

10.1007/s10853-021-06059-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juergen Schleppi ◽

Geoffrey Bromiley ◽

Nic Odling ◽

Nick S. Bennett

Keyword(s):

Lunar Regolith ◽

Resource Utilisation ◽

Transparent Glass ◽

Optically Transparent ◽

Lunar Regolith Simulant

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Impact of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: burden of patients receiving therapies in Japan

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-92567-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shigeru Honda ◽

Yasuo Yanagi ◽

Hideki Koizumi ◽

Yirong Chen ◽

Satoru Tanaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Macular Degeneration ◽

Productivity Loss ◽

Work Productivity ◽

The Elderly ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Resource Utilisation ◽

Total Work ◽

Healthcare Resource Utilisation ◽

Age Related

AbstractThe chronic eye disorder, neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), is a common cause of permanent vision impairment and blindness among the elderly in developed countries, including Japan. This study aimed to investigate the disease burden of nAMD patients under treatment, using data from the Japan National Health and Wellness surveys 2009–2014. Out of 147,272 respondents, 100 nAMD patients reported currently receiving treatment. Controls without nAMD were selected by 1:4 propensity score matching. Healthcare Resource Utilisation (HRU), Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and work productivity loss were compared between the groups. Regarding HRU, nAMD patients had significantly increased number of visits to any healthcare provider (HCP) (13.8 vs. 8.2), ophthalmologist (5.6 vs. 0.8), and other HCP (9.5 vs. 7.1) compared to controls after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, nAMD patients had reduced HRQoL and work productivity, i.e., reduced physical component summary (PCS) score (46.3 vs. 47.9), increased absenteeism (18.14% vs. 0.24%), presenteeism (23.89% vs. 12.44%), and total work productivity impairment (33.57% vs. 16.24%). The increased number of ophthalmologist visits were associated with decreased PCS score, increased presenteeism and total work productivity impairment. The current study highlighted substantial burden for nAMD patients, requiring further attention for future healthcare planning and treatment development.

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