Analysis of financial resources for public health in Brazilian capitals: a time trend ecological study

This study aimed to analyze part of the financial resources used to fund public health actions in the 26-Brazilian capitals, from 2008 to 2018. This is a time-trend ecological study involving revenue and expenditure indicators provided by the Information System on Public Budget for Health (SIOPS). The values were deflated based on the Extended National Consumer Price Index of 2018 in Brazil to allow the comparison over the years. The mean annual variation of health investments, in Brazilian Reais (BRL) was assessed using linear regressions. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were estimated between federal revenues and expenditures with the capitals’ resources. All capitals presented statistically significant positive correlations for the origin of the budget resource invested in health. The lowest coefficient was found in the capital city of Macapá (Amapá State) (r = 0.860) and the highest, in Fortaleza (Ceará State) (r = 0.997). Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais State) was the capital with the highest annual increase in federal transfers (about BRL 67.91 per year) and Teresina (Piauí State) presented the highest annual increase in health expenditures among the capitals (about BRL 55.42 per year). We found a increase in the transfers of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and municipal resources in almost all capitals, but there are still inequalities in the distribution of financial resources among Brazilian capitals from different regions. Health funding is affected by the municipalization of SUS and it is not the single factor affecting the access and quality of health services.

Increasing labor income and real unit labor costs in Brazilian agrobusiness

This study analyzes the interactions between per worker labor income (PWLI), labor productivity, real unit labor costs, and the relationship between relevant employee (IPCA) and employers (GDP deflators) prices, specifically focusing on Brazilian agrobusiness. For that purpose, labor productivities of the entire agrobusiness sector and its segments were calculated from 2004 through 2015. We found that the gap between agrobusiness sector deflators and the IPCA did not play a preponderant role to mitigate the effect of PWLI growth of 3.81% annually on real unit labor cost (CURT), which only increased 0.21% annually. In turn, CURT was contained by productivity gains, boosted mainly by agriculture. Without this productivity growth, CURT would have increased at 3.7% annually, thus making unviable the observed simultaneous gains for employers and employees in the Brazilian agrobusiness sector. The result for the primary agrobusiness segment should be highlighted. Even with an annual increase of 4.07% in PWLI, the 7.24% annual growth in productivity implied on an average annual reduction in CURT (-2.56%); without this significant productivity growth, the same increase in PWLI would have boosted CURT by 4.7% annually.

Assessment of opportunities for the development of «green» business in the field of aste of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The purpose of the article is to explore and evaluate the possibilities of developing a «green» business in the waste sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan. One of the main directions of the implementation of the Action Plan for the transition of the Republic of Kazakhstan to a «green» economy is the area of waste management. The development of industrial enterprises and the increase in the population of Kazakhstan leads to an unconditional increase in the volume of household and industrial waste, in connection with which the problem of competent waste management is urgent. The existing system of waste management in the Republic of Kazakhstan do not effective: the formation of many spontaneous garbage dumps, most landfills do not meet the requirements of environmental and sanitary safety, there is an annual increase in waste generation with an insignificant level of their collection and processing into secondary raw stock, materials and goods. The practical significance of the study lies in the analysis of the possibilities for the development of «green» business in the field of waste and the identification of problems hindering innovative entrepreneurship in this area.

Trends in prescription of psychotropic medications to children and adolescents in Australian primary care from 2011 to 2018

Objective: To examine trends in prescribing psychotropic medications to children and adolescents in Australian primary care from 2011 to 2018. Method: A retrospective cohort study examined prescriptions written by general practitioners using MedicineInsight, a large Australian primary care database, covering approximately 9% of all general practitioner practices. Numbers of patients receiving prescriptions for five main classes of psychotropics (antipsychotics, antidepressants, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications, anxiolytics, and hypnotics/sedatives [including benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, but excluding melatonin]) were examined annually by age-group (0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–18 years). Melatonin was analysed separately. Results: The number of patients prescribed any psychotropic increased from 25.6 to 36.2 per 1000 individuals from 2011 to 2018 (average annual increase +4.5%, 95% confidence interval [4.1%, 4.9%]; overall +41.4%). Among the five main classes, the largest annual increase was for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications (+9.6%, 95% confidence interval [8.8%, 10.5%]; overall +95.8%), followed by antipsychotics (+6.2%, 95% confidence interval [5.0%, 7.3%]; overall +62.8%) and antidepressants (+4.5%, 95% confidence interval [4.0%, 5.0%]; overall +42.8%). Hypnotic/sedative prescribing decreased on average 6.5% per year (95% confidence interval [–8.0%, –5.0%]; overall −40.2%). Anxiolytic prescribing remained steady. Melatonin prescriptions showed the highest increase of all (+24.7%, 95% confidence interval [23.7%, 25.8%]; overall +606.7%). The largest annual increase in antipsychotic, antidepressant or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication prescribing occurred in 10- to 14-year-olds (+7.5%, +6.5% and +10.4%, respectively). The largest point prevalence occurred in 2018 among 15- to 18-year-olds, with 98.5 per 1000 prescribed antidepressants. Antidepressants were more frequently prescribed to females; antipsychotics, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications and melatonin more often to males. The most prescribed antipsychotics were risperidone (<15 years) and quetiapine (15- to 18-year-olds). Fluoxetine was the most prescribed antidepressant in those aged 5+ years and amitriptyline in 0- to 4-year-olds. Conclusion: General practitioner prescribing of melatonin, antipsychotics, antidepressants and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications to under-19-year-olds increased markedly from 2011 to 2018. Although benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescriptions declined, this was offset by a substantial increase in melatonin prescribing.

Economy of the mexican agriculture sector in times of COVID-19

<p>COVID-19, a pandemic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, changed the production schemes and supply chains in all spheres of the world’s economy. The agricultural sector in Mexico was no exception, although it has been so essential during the pandemic that its growth was higher than the other sectors of the Mexican economy and it stood out as a food supplier in the world in 2020. Farmers’ vocations and the integration of productive food chains led to a surplus of 1.2 billion dollars, with an annual increase of 39.92%. The pandemic is a challenge and an opportunity for the Mexican countryside in terms of digital and technological innovation derived from border investigation. However, it is crucial to establish public agricultural planning policies to help optimize this area of opportunity by focusing on new production and national and international trade models, responding efficiently to national visions to benefit producers-consumers and guaranteeing food security in the framework of the UN’s international policies for sustainable development, the IPCC’s reduction of climate impact and ensuring human health by the WHO.</p>

INFLUENCE OF LOW VIGOUR ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH AND FRUITING PROCESS OF ‘REGINA’ CULTIVAR

The aim of this paper was to study the influence of low vigor rootstocks on the 'Regina' cherry cultivar. The study was conducted at Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, Arges county, Romania between 2019 and 2021. A bifactorial experiment was set up, with A factor-the rootstock ('Gisela 3', 'Gisela 5', 'Gisela 12' and 'Weigi 2') and B factor-the study year (2019, 2020 and 2021). Fruiting and vegetative growth data (fruit production, the trunck cross-section area-TCSA, the annual increase of TCSA, the productivity index and the ratio between the fruit production and the annual increase of TCSA), as well as fruit quality data (fruit mass, firmness, pH, total soluble content, chromatic coordinates of epicarp color and chlorophyll fluorescence) were collected. 'Gisela 5' rootstock recorded the highest value of TCSA annual increase (11.46 kg/cm2) and had also the highest cromatic coordinates values: colour brightness (25.68), red pigment (15.61) and yellow content (4.12).The highest vigor of the cultivar 'Regina' was observed in 'Weigi 2' rootstock variant (with an TCSA value of 44.71 cm2), given that 'Weigi 2' TCSA annual increase was similar to 'Gisela 5'. 'Gisela 3' rootstock stood out for its fruit highest pH (3.97), fruit yield (13.51 t/ha), lowest vigor (TCSA=24.19 cm2), smallest annual TCSA increase (6.11 cm2), highest productivity index 0.219 kg/cm2) and highest fruit production to annual TCSA increase ratio (1.79 kg/cm2). Taking into account climatic accidents that marked the spring of 2021, on the average of the study years, the cultivar 'Regina' grafted on the rootstock 'Gisela 12' was distinguished by fruit weight (10.02 g), firmness (66.53 units HPE Bareiss) and TSS (16.03°Brix) on the background of the lowest fruit yield. A negative very signifficant correlation between fruit yield and fruit quality traits (weight, firmness and total soluble solids) was found.

Longitudinal Trends of the Annual Exposure to PM2.5 Particles in European Countries

Background. PM2.5 emission is known as a major challenge to environmental health and is the cause of approximately 7 million deaths annually. This study aimed at investigating the main patterns of PM2.5 trend changes among European countries. Methods. The annual exposure to PM2.5 pollutants was retrieved from the World Bank for 41 countries during 2010 to 2017, and a latent growth model was applied to identify the main patterns using Mplus 7.4 software. Results. Monitoring the overall mean annual exposure to PM2.5 in the Europe showed a downward pattern with an annual decrease of 2.48% during the study period. Turkey had the highest PM2.5 exposure with 43.82 μg/m3 in 2010, reaching 44.31 μg/m3 in 2017. Likewise, with 7.19 μg/m3 in 2010, Finland had the lowest exposure level which decreased to 5.86 μg/m3 in 2017. Two main patterns for the mean annual PM2.5 exposure were identified via the latent growth model. Countries in the first pattern, including Turkey and Ukraine, had experienced a slow annual increase in the mean exposure of PM2.5 pollutant. Likewise, the other 39 countries belonged to the second pattern with a moderate falling trend in the mean exposure to PM2.5. Conclusion. Although the trend changes of mean annual exposure to PM2.5 in Europe were falling, Turkey and Ukraine had experienced a slow annual increase. It is advisable to take appropriate measures to curb the current raising exposure to PM2.5 in Turkey and Ukraine.

The Experience of Depression Relapse among Adult Thai Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Background: Depressive disorder is a disease with widespread incidence and has shown an annual increase, while depression relapse is also rising continually due to multiple causes. In Thailand, although many studies have been conducted to prevent depression incidence and relapse, there is little known about the meaning of depression relapse in adult Thai patients. An exploration of the direct experiences of adult Thai patients seems a suitable way to gather data for a care system development. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the perceptions of adult Thai patients concerning their experience of depression relapse and its management among adult patients with depressive disorder in the Thai context. Methods: This research is a qualitative study using the directed content analysis approach. In-depth interviews with 20 adult Thai patients with depressive disorders that had direct experience with depression relapse were the data collection method used in this study. The interviews allowed the participants to talk about their experiences with depression relapse and how to manage depressive symptoms; the interviews lasted approximately 60 minutes. Results: Two themes emerged from the study. First, the experience of depression relapse is the feeling of something pulling away from happiness. Second, managing depression relapse. Conclusion: Depression relapse among adult Thai patients with depressive disorder is an experience causing patients to feel that they are losing their happiness again. Care and management of depression relapse by each patient differ, despite being in the same social contexts. Therefore, depression relapse risk assessment is important in the care of each patient in order to design more effective care.

Determination of the Influence of Cultural Techniques "Densities and Opening Standardʺ on Agrophysiological Parameters of Clones Pb 260, Irca 111 and Rrim 703

To find out the effect of cultural techniques on agrophysiological parameters, four combinations ̏planting densities (low density or DF at 350 t/ha, normal density or DN at 510 t/ha) and opening standards (opening at 65cm and opening at 50 cm) ̋ were tested on Hevea brasiliensis clones PB 260, IRCA 111 and RRIM 703. This study was conducted for nine years with a split-plot experimental design of two treatments and two subtreatments repeated three times. The different combinations of treatments and subtreatments tested were low density (DN-50 cm), low density (DN-65 cm), normal density (DF-50 cm), normal density (DF- 65 cm). The parameters evaluated were the production at bleeding and per hectare, the average annual increase in circumference, the rate of tree losses and the rate of trees with dry notches. Production per tree was significantly higher at 350 t/ha and 65 cm opening (DF-65 cm), while per hectare production was higher at 510 t/ha. The girths of the different clones are stronger at DF and at the 65 cm opening. The rate of tree loss and the rate of trees with dry notch were low at the 510 t/ha density and the 65cm opening. The appropriate density and opening standard was "normal density 510 t/ha and opening to circumference 50 cm". The cultivation techniques especially the density and opening standard judiciously applied can participate in the sustainable improvement of rubber productivity of rubber plantations.

Rapid increase in dichloromethane emissions from China inferred through atmospheric observations

With the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the atmospheric abundance of ozone-depleting substances continues to decrease slowly and the Antarctic ozone hole is showing signs of recovery. However, growing emissions of unregulated short-lived anthropogenic chlorocarbons are offsetting some of these gains. Here, we report an increase in emissions from China of the industrially produced chlorocarbon, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2). The emissions grew from 231 (213–245) Gg yr−1 in 2011 to 628 (599–658) Gg yr−1 in 2019, with an average annual increase of 13 (12–15) %, primarily from eastern China. The overall increase in CH2Cl2 emissions from China has the same magnitude as the global emission rise of 354 (281−427) Gg yr−1 over the same period. If global CH2Cl2 emissions remain at 2019 levels, they could lead to a delay in Antarctic ozone recovery of around 5 years compared to a scenario with no CH2Cl2 emissions.