Shrub Encroachment Shapes Soil Nutrient Concentration, Stoichiometry and Carbon Storage in an Abandoned Subalpine Grassland

Soil nutrient stoichiometry plays a substantial role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the changes in soil nutrient stoichiometry with shrub encroachment (SE) remain poorly understood, especially in subalpine areas. We examined the changes in soil nutrient concentration, nutrient stoichiometry, and organic carbon (OC) storage (at a depth of 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm) in three successional shrub encroachment stages (early, mid and late) in an abandoned subalpine Eulalia pallens (Hackel) Kuntze grassland. An ANOVA showed that SE did not produce serious soil acidification, but significantly increased the soil OC and total phosphorous (TP) concentration, and improved the stoichiometry ratio of soil OC to total nitrogen (OC:TN) in all layers. OC storage tended to increase with SE. SE thus did not indicate degradation of the grassland. A redundancy analysis (RDA) and partial RDA revealed that the shrub relative cover and soil water content were the most important factors affecting the soil nutrient concentration, that the soil available phosphorous (AP), nitrogen, potassium, calcium (ACa), and magnesium concentration and shrub relative cover were the most important factors influencing soil nutrient stoichiometry ratios, and that soil OC:TN, TN:TP, OC:TN:TP, and AP:ACa ratios, bulk density, and pH were the most important factors influencing soil OC storage over SE. Our study provides insights into SE in grassland areas, and potentially provides a useful reference for ongoing grassland conservation and restoration in subalpine regions.

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Contextual Factors Affecting Collaborative Initiatives with a Community-Based Organization: Contextual Factors Influencing Collaborative Initiatives

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e413782005-913 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

Bianca Wilson

Keyword(s):

Contextual Factors ◽

Community Based ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Community Based Organization

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Customer’s satisfaction on service quality at Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank – An Giang Branch

Science & Technology Development Journal - Economics - Law and Management ◽

10.32508/stdjelm.v4i3.564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. First

Author(s):

Tran Minh Hieu ◽

Nguyen Duong Ngoc Mai Chi

Keyword(s):

Customer Satisfaction ◽

Service Quality ◽

Test Method ◽

Quality Of Services ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Alpha Reliability ◽

Survey Results ◽

Development Orientation

This study applied SERVQUAL scale of Parasuraman et al to measure factors affecting customer satisfaction on service quality at Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank - An Giang Branch (Techcombank An Giang). The study was conducted to survey 207 customers who have been using the service at Techcombank An Giang. The survey results were analyzed by the Cronbach's Alpha reliability test method, then used Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to verify and evaluate the scale of service quality. The results of the regression analysis show that customer's satisfaction about service quality at Techcombank An Giang includes four factors: The factor with the highest level is the Empathy with Beta = 0.253, the second of factor is the Responsibility with Beta = 0.248, ranked third in the influence level is the Tangible with Beta = 0.235, and the lowest impact level is the Reliability with Beta = 0.144. The research also uses statistical methods to describe and test the differences of demographic factors with customer's satisfactionon service quality.The analysis results show that there is no difference between customer's satisfaction on service quality and factors such as gender, age, income, number of transaction banks, regular transaction banks, and time to use the service at Techcombank An Giang. Through the research results, the author would like to propose some ideas to improve the quality of services, thereby attracting new customers and importantly, keeping traditional customers because the development orientation of Techcombank is to take care of old customers to cross sell other products of the bank. The Stud results offer a basis for the branch to identify the factors influencing customer satisfaction on their service quality, thereby having an appropriate strategy to improve customer satisfaction.

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Factors Influencing Utilisation of Maternal Healthcare Services: Womens Perception

Social Work Chronicle ◽

10.21863/swc/2015.4.1and2.005 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (1and2) ◽

Author(s):

Gyanvati

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Services ◽

Maternal Healthcare ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Economic Background ◽

Newborn Child

This paper analyses the factors affecting for utilization of maternal healthcare services. Following is the section wise description of the paper. Firstly, the paper looks into socio-economic background of women. Secondly, the paper focuses on usage of maternal healthcare services by women. Thirdly, the paper also traces the factors affecting for usage of maternal healthcare services. Lastly, the paper concludes and suggests by emphasizing the significance of proper utilization of maternal healthcare services that it leads to better health of mother and their newborn child.

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Assessment of factors affecting short-term pulmonary functions following cardiac surgery: A prospective observational study

Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals ◽

10.1177/02184923211010079 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 021849232110100

Author(s):

Neetika Katiyar ◽

Sandeep Negi ◽

Sunder Lal Negi ◽

Goverdhan Dutt Puri ◽

Shyam Kumar Singh Thingnam

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Forced Vital Capacity ◽

Vital Capacity ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Pulmonary Complications ◽

Operative Morbidity ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Significant Impairment

Background Pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery are very common and lead to an increased incidence of post-operative morbidity and mortality. Several factors, either modifiable or non-modifiable, may contribute to the associated unfavorable consequences related to pulmonary function. This study was aimed to investigate the degree of alteration and factors influencing pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity), on third, fifth, and seventh post-operative days following cardiac surgery. Methods This study was executed in 71 patients who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery. Pulmonary function was assessed before surgery and on the third, fifth, and seventh post-operative days. Data including surgical details, information about risk factors, and assessment of pulmonary function were obtained. Results The FEV1 and forced vital capacity were significantly impaired on post-operative days 3, 5, and 7 compared to pre-operative values. The reduction in FEV1 was 41%, 29%, and 16% and in forced vital capacity was 42%, 29%, and 19% consecutively on post-operative days 3, 5, and 7. Multivariate analysis was done to detect the factors influencing post-operative FEV1 and forced vital capacity. Discussion This study observed a significant impairment in FEV1 and forced vital capacity, which did not completely recover by the seventh post-operative day. Different factors affecting post-operative FEV1 and forced vital capacity were pre-operative FEV1, age ≥60, less body surface area, lower pre-operative chest expansion at the axillary level, and having more duration of cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery. Presence of these factors enhances the chance of developing post-operative pulmonary complications.

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Socioeconomic Risks and Their Impacts on Ecological River Health in South Korea: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116287 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6287

Author(s):

Suyeon Kim ◽

Sang-Woo Lee ◽

Se-Rin Park ◽

Yeeun Shin ◽

Kyungjin An

Keyword(s):

South Korea ◽

Socioeconomic Factors ◽

Ecosystem Health ◽

Relative Importance ◽

River Ecosystem ◽

River Health ◽

Analytic Hierarchy ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Hierarchy Process

It is imperative to develop a methodology to identify river impairment sources, particularly the relative impact of socioeconomic sources, to enhance the efficiency of various river restoration schemes and policies and to have an internal diagnosis system in place. This study, therefore, aims to identify and analyze the relative importance of the socioeconomic factors affecting river ecosystem impairment in South Korea. To achieve this goal, we applied the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate expert judgement of the relative importance of different socioeconomic factors influencing river ecosystem impairment. Based on a list of socioeconomic factors influencing stream health, an AHP questionnaire was prepared and administered to experts in aquatic ecology. Our analysis reveals that secondary industries form the most significant source of stream ecosystem impairment. Moreover, the most critical socioeconomic factors affecting stream impairment are direct inflow pollution, policy implementation, and industrial wastewater. The results also suggest that the AHP is a rapid and robust approach to assessing the relative importance of different socioeconomic factors that affect river ecosystem health. The results can be used to assist decision makers in focusing on actions to improve river ecosystem health.

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Factors Affecting Secondary Traumatic Stress of Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients in South Korea

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6843

Author(s):

Mee Sun Lee ◽

Sujin Shin ◽

Eunmin Hong

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Direct Care ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Affect Patient Care ◽

Significant Factors

The secondary traumatic stress (STS) of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients is expected to be high, and it can adversely affect patient care. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of STS of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, and we identified various factors that influence STS. This study followed a descriptive design. The data of 136 nurses who had provided direct care to COVID-19 patients from 5 September to 26 September 2020 were collected online. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing STS. Participants experienced moderate levels of STS. The regression model of Model 1 was statistically significant (F = 6.21, p < 0.001), and the significant factors influencing STS were the duration of care for patients with COVID-19 for more than 30 days (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and working in an undesignated COVID-19 hospital (β = 0.21, p = 0.038). In Model 2, the factor influencing STS was the support of a friend in the category of social support (β = −0.21, p = 0.039). The nurses caring for COVID-19 patients are experiencing a persistent and moderate level of STS. This study can be used as basic data to treat and prevent STS.

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Study of the Factors Affecting the Career Development of New-Immigrant-Children University Students in Taiwan

International Journal of Higher Education ◽

10.5430/ijhe.v8n6p192 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 192

Author(s):

Yu-Chuan Chen

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Career Development ◽

University Students ◽

Research Method ◽

Social Systems ◽

Immigrant Children ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

International Marriages ◽

New Immigrant

Over the last two decades, Taiwan has experienced a surge in immigration due to marriage. With the growth in the incidence of international marriages, the number of immigrant children in Taiwan has sharply increased. Career development is an important factor worldwide and is thus an important issue for immigrant children in Taiwan. Many factors influence the choices of new immigrant children for their career development. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing the career development of new immigrant children. The research was conducted using the qualitative research method, and data were collected from 30 participants who were new-immigrant-children university students. After analyzing the interviews of the participants, the results were analyzed. Further, on the basis of analysis of previous literature and interviews, recommendations were made for the career development of new immigrant children, such as strengthen the attainment of and respect for multi-culturalism through School, family, and social systems.

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Factors influencing the Control of Cotton-Stainers (Dysdercus spp.)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300031539 ◽

1924 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 171-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. L. Withycombe

Keyword(s):

West Indies ◽

The West ◽

Cotton Lint ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Cotton Stainers

Cotton-stainers, Dysdercus spp., are most important factors affecting the growing of cotton in the West Indies and elsewhere, on account of the fact that they convey certain bacteria and the spores of various internal boll fungi which cause staining and rotting of the cotton lint.

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What is access to radiation therapy? A conceptual framework and review of influencing factors

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah14262 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Puma Sundaresan ◽

Martin R. Stockler ◽

Christopher G. Milross

Keyword(s):

Radiation Therapy ◽

Health Services ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Influencing Factors ◽

International Literature ◽

Access To Treatment ◽

Access Methods ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Detailed Review ◽

Factors Influencing

Objectives Optimal radiation therapy (RT) utilisation rates (RURs) have been defined for various cancer indications through extensive work in Australia and overseas. These benchmarks remain unrealised. The gap between optimal RUR and actual RUR has been attributed to inadequacies in ‘RT access’. We aimed to develop a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ by examining the literature for existing constructs and translating it to the context of RT services. We further aimed to use this framework to identify and examine factors influencing ‘RT access’. Methods Existing models of health care access were reviewed and used to develop a multi-dimensional conceptual framework for ‘RT access’. A review of the literature was then conducted to identify factors reported to affect RT access and utilisation. The electronic databases searched, the host platform and date range of the databases searched were Ovid MEDLINE, 1946 to October 2014 and PsycINFOvia OvidSP,1806 to October 2014. Results The framework developed demonstrates that ‘RT access’ encompasses opportunity for RT as well as the translation of this opportunity to RT utilisation. Opportunity for RT includes availability, affordability, adequacy (quality) and acceptability of RT services. Several factors at the consumer, referrer and RT service levels affect the translation of this opportunity for RT to actual RT utilisation. Conclusion ‘Access’ is a term that is widely used in the context of health service related research, planning and political discussions. It is a multi-faceted concept with many descriptions. We propose a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ so that factors affecting RT access and utilisation may be identified and examined. Understanding these factors, and quantifying them where possible, will allow objective evaluation of their impact on RT utilisation and guide implementation of strategies to modify their effects. What is known about the topic? It is well documented that the use of RT in Australia is well below evidence-based benchmarks. The shortfall in the use of RT has been attributed to problems with access to treatment services. Although considerable attention has been directed (rightly) towards addressing infrastructure needs, access to RT is more than just supply of services. There is currently no specific framework for RT access to comprehensively consider and examine other factors influencing the use of RT. The existing international literature addresses some of the influencing factors. However, there is a need for a detailed review of all actual and potential influencers of RT utilisation. What does this paper add? This paper presents a conceptual framework for the specific consideration of access to RT. A detailed review of various factors affecting access and utilisation of RT has been performed using the aforementioned conceptual framework. To our knowledge this is the first such review and hence we are confident that it adds to the existing international literature on this subject. What are the implications for practitioners? The topic of improving consumers’ access to RT is of relevance locally, in Australia, as well as internationally. We feel that the RT access framework proposed herein will be of interest and use to those involved in health services research, delivery and policy, especially those involved with the planning and delivering of cancer services. In addition to compiling evidence on the subject, the review of factors influencing RT utilisation highlights and proposes areas for future translational and implementation research in the areas of health services and treatment-related decision making.

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