Urban aerosol chemistry at a land–water transition site during summer – Part 2: Aerosol pH and liquid water content

Particle acidity (aerosol pH) is an important driver of atmospheric chemical processes and the resulting effects on human and environmental health. Understanding the factors that control aerosol pH is critical when enacting control strategies targeting specific outcomes. This study characterizes aerosol pH at a land–water transition site near Baltimore, MD, during summer 2018 as part of the second Ozone Water-Land Environmental Transition Study (OWLETS-2) field campaign. Inorganic fine-mode aerosol composition, gas-phase NH3 measurements, and all relevant meteorological parameters were used to characterize the effects of temperature, aerosol liquid water (ALW), and composition on predictions of aerosol pH. Temperature, the factor linked to the control of NH3 partitioning, was found to have the most significant effect on aerosol pH during OWLETS-2. Overall, pH varied with temperature at a rate of −0.047 K−1 across all observations, though the sensitivity was −0.085 K−1 for temperatures > 293 K. ALW had a minor effect on pH, except at the lowest ALW levels (< 1 µg m−3), which caused a significant increase in aerosol acidity (decrease in pH). Aerosol pH was generally insensitive to composition (SO42-, SO42-:NH4+, total NH3 (Tot-NH3) = NH3 + NH4+), consistent with recent studies in other locations. In a companion paper, the sources of episodic NH3 events (95th percentile concentrations, NH3 > 7.96 µg m−3) during the study are analyzed; aerosol pH was higher by only ∼ 0.1–0.2 pH units during these events compared to the study mean. A case study was analyzed to characterize the response of aerosol pH to nonvolatile cations (NVCs) during a period strongly influenced by primary Chesapeake Bay emissions. Depending on the method used, aerosol pH was estimated to be either weakly (∼ 0.1 pH unit change based on NH3 partitioning calculation) or strongly (∼ 1.4 pH unit change based on ISORROPIA thermodynamic model predictions) affected by NVCs. The case study suggests a strong pH gradient with size during the event and underscores the need to evaluate assumptions of aerosol mixing state applied to pH calculations. Unique features of this study, including the urban land–water transition site and the strong influence of NH3 emissions from both agricultural and industrial sources, add to the understanding of aerosol pH and its controlling factors in diverse environments.

Estimating the minimal clinically important difference for the Physical Component Summary of the Short Form 36 for patients with stroke

Objective To determine the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score's minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for people with stroke. Methods We conducted secondary analysis of data from a large randomized controlled trial (N = 400) in the post-hospital discharge phase of stroke rehabilitation with outcome measurement 6 and 12 months following stroke. Three methods were used for estimating the MCID: two anchor and one distribution. Method 1 compared SF-36 PCS scores at 12 months for responses to the SF-36’s Perceived Health Change (PHC) question. Method 2 compared the change in PCS score between 6 and 12 months for responses to the PHC question. Method 3 used Cohen’s method to estimate the MCID from the PCS score distribution. Results Method 1: the mean PCS score increased by 3.0 units (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–3.9) for each unit change in the PHC question. Method 2: the mean change in PCS score increased by 2.1 units (95% CI 1.4–2.8) for each unit change in the PHC question. Method 3: the MCID was estimated to be 1.8 units. Conclusions Our estimate of the MCID for the PCS in patients with stroke was 1.8 to 3.0 units.

Effect of altitude on COVID-19 mortality in Ecuador: an ecological study

Background The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has claimed nearly 900,000 lives worldwide and infected more than 27 million people. Researchers worldwide are studying ways to decrease SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 related deaths. Several studies found altitude having a negative association with both COVID-19 incidence and deaths. Ecuadorian data was used to explore the relationship between altitude and COVID-19. Methods This is an ecological study examining province-level data. To explore a relationship between altitude and COVID-19, this study utilized publicly available COVID-19 data and population statistics. ANOVA, correlation statistics, and a multivariate linear model explored the relationship between different Ecuadorian altitudes against incidence, mortality, and case-fatality rates. Population statistics attributed to COVID-19 were included in the linear model to control for confounding factors. Results Statistically significant differences were observed in the regions of Amazónica, Sierra, Costa of Ecuador for incidence, mortality, and case fatality rates, suggesting an association between altitude and SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 disease severity (p-value ≤0.05). In univariate analysis, altitude had a negative association to mortality rate with a 1-unit change in altitude resulting in the decrease of 0.006 units in mortality rate (p-value = 0.03). The multiple linear models adjusted for population statistics showed a statistically significant negative association of altitude with mortality rate (p-value = 0.01) with a 1-unit change in altitude resulting in the decrease in mortality rate by 0.015 units. Overall, the model helped in explaining 50% (R2 = 0.4962) of the variance in mortality rate. Conclusion Altitude may have an effect on COVID-19 mortality rates. However, based on our model and R2 value, the relationship between our variables of interest and COVID-19 mortality may be nonlinear. More research is needed to understand why altitude may have a protective effect against COVID-19 mortality and how this may be applicable in a clinical setting.

The Relationship Between Parenting Styles and Moral Development of Preschool Children Mediated by Children’s Attachment

Objective: Family is like a school where parents teach the lessons of humanity and morality, which are the foundation of human happiness, to their children. Moral development is an essential part of children’s understanding of moral rules and principles. The lack of moral development, along with anxiety, and depression exposes children to antisocial and suicidal behaviors. Moral development is associated with parenting styles and attachment. This study aims to investigate the relationship between parenting styles and moral development of preschool children mediated by children’s attachment. Materials & Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 128 children (64 girls and 64 boys) selected from 8 preschools in Tehran Province, Iran, in 2020 using a cluster sampling technique. The study data were collected using three questionnaires: Baumrind Parenting Styles Questionnaire (PSQ), the Kinship Center Attachment Questionnaire (KCAQ), and Lotfabadi Moral Development Questionnaire (MDQ). The first two tools were completed by mothers of children, while the MDQ was completed by children. The Kolmogorov-Simonov test, correlation test (Enter method), analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis in SPSS v. 21. Results: The regression analysis results showed that parenting styles had a significant relationship with moral development (R=0.74, Adjusted R2=0.54, P=0.000). Also, attachment had a significant association with moral development (R=0.71, Adjusted R2=0.49, P=0.000). With one unit change in permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting styles, the moral development of preschool children can be predicted by 43.5%, 19%, and 37.6%, respectively. Moreover, with one unit change in positive adjustment/development, negative behavior, emotional reactivity, and distancing from caregiver support dimensions of attachment, the moral development of preschool children can be predicted by 33.6%, 38.4%, -26.4%, and -11.4%, respectively. Also, the results of the Sobel test showed that the attachment variable was the mediator of the relationship of parenting styles with moral development (z=2.29>1.96). Conclusion: The moral development of children is related to permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting styles. Besides, children’s attachment can mediate the relationship between parenting styles and moral development. More planning and follow-up are needed to improve the moral development of preschool children. When parents are consistent in their parenting styles, they provide their children with assertive and trusting behaviors. They should listen to their children and promote dialogue with them. Their discipline should be accompanied by warmness, logic, and flexibility and give their children the freedom to some extent. This treatment can help children develop their social behavior.

Innovation Diffusion in the Utilization of Fish Resources in Bangourain, West Region of Cameroon: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Fish is considered a crucial resource for the sustenance of livelihoods in water-dependent communities across the globe. However, geographical studies on innovations in the use of this resource are limited in the Cameroonian context. This study investigates the pattern of innovation diffusion in the utilization of fish resources, drawing from a random sample of 106 fishing households in Bangourain. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that a single unit change in the natural drivers of innovation triggers a 0.164 change in the spatial diffusion of innovation in the utilization of fish resources (p-value > 0.05). With regards to the economic and cultural drivers of innovation, a unit change in their values lead respectively to a 0.538 and 0.424 shift in the diffusion of innovation. The results suggest that while the economic and cultural drivers of innovation are significant (P ˂ 0.05), those of natural drivers are insignificant (P ˃ 0.05). Policy interventions should leverage natural attributes to foster the effective diffusion of innovations – focusing on the tools and methods applied in fish harvesting.

Urban aerosol chemistry at a land-water transition site during summer – Part 2: Aerosol pH and liquid water content

Particle acidity (aerosol pH) is an important driver of atmospheric chemical processes and the resulting effects on human and environmental health. Understanding the factors that control aerosol pH is critical when enacting control strategies targeting specific outcomes. This study characterizes aerosol pH at a land-water transition site near Baltimore, MD during summer 2018 as part of the second Ozone Water-Land Environmental Transition Study (OWLETS-2) field campaign. Inorganic fine mode aerosol composition, gas-phase NH3 measurements, and all relevant meteorological parameters were used to characterize the effects of temperature, aerosol liquid water (ALW), and composition on predictions of aerosol pH. Temperature, the factor linked to the control of NH3 partitioning, was found to have the most significant effect on aerosol pH during OWLETS-2. Overall, pH varied with temperature at a rate of −0.047 K−1 across all observations, though the sensitivity was −0.085 K−1 for temperatures > 293 K. ALW had a minor effect on pH, except at the lowest ALW levels (< 1 µg m−3) which caused a significant increase in aerosol acidity (decrease in pH). Aerosol pH was generally insensitive to composition (SO42− , SO42−:NH4+ , Tot-NH3 = NH3 + NH4+), consistent with recent studies in other locations. In a companion paper, the sources of episodic NH3 events (95th percentile concentrations, NH3 > 7.96 µg m−3) during the study are analyzed; aerosol pH was higher by only ~0.1–0.2 pH units during these events compared to the study mean. A case study was analyzed to characterize the response of aerosol pH to nonvolatile cations (NVCs) during a period strongly influenced by primary Chesapeake Bay emissions. Depending on the method used, aerosol pH was estimated to be either weakly (~0.1 pH unit change based on NH3 partitioning calculation) or strongly (~1.4 pH unit change based on ISORROPIA thermodynamic model predictions) affected by NVCs. The case study suggests a strong pH gradient with size during the event and underscores the need to evaluate assumptions of aerosol mixing state applied to pH calculations. Unique features of this study, including the urban land-water transition site and the strong influence of NH3 emissions from both agricultural and industrial sources, add to the understanding of aerosol pH and its controlling factors in diverse environments.

Influence of Project Implementation Strategies by Religious Organizations on Rural Development: A Case of Kitui Catholic Diocese, Kitui County, Kenya

It has been documented that religious institutions have influenced the development of education systems, health facilities, infrastructure such as roads, water provision structures and even building designs. This study sought to find out the influence of project implementation strategies by religious organisations on rural development in Kenya. The study focused on the Catholic Diocese of Kitui, in Kitui County and sought to document how project implementation strategies by Catholic Diocese of Kitui influence rural development in Kitui County of Kenya. The target population for this study was drawn out of a homogenous setting of Kitui County, Kitui East Subcounty, Nzambani and Chuluni wards and covered a total of 6939 households. The study covered a sample population of 364 out of the determined target population of 6939 households. The analysis of the data collected was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study established that project implementation strategies by Catholic Diocese of Kitui influenced rural development in Kitui County as shown by a composite mean of 3.945. The Chi-Square test results of the association between project implementation strategies by religious organizations and rural development at Catholic Diocese of Kitui, Kitui County in Table 16, shows a Chi-Square value = 8.954, p = 0.003. The p-value is less than 0.05 and hence there is a statistically significant association between project implementation strategies and rural development at Catholic Diocese of Kitui. From the findings, the study found that if the independent variable, project implementation strategies, was held constant at zero, then the rural development in Kitui County will be 3.537. The study also found that a unit change in project implementation strategies changes would lead to a 0.843 unit change in rural development in Kitui County. The variable was significant since p-value=0.012<0.05. The study concluded that project implementation strategies had a great influence on rural development in Kitui County. The study recommends that there is need for capacity development to identify resource availability and build capacities in communities and have them assisted to undertake church based projects. The study recommends that there is need for capacity development to identify resource availability and build capacities in communities and have them assisted to undertake church based projects. To create more ownership of the projects, the study recommends that there should be involvement of user representatives from the initiation to the implementation phases of the projects.

SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA FOR PIG A.I. — LABORATORY METHODS FOR REGULATING THE ACIDITY AND OSMOLARITY OF STORAGE MEDIA FOR BOAR SEMEN

Simple laboratory methods were used to estimate optimal levels of acidity and osmolarity of four storage media for the boar semen. It was observed that above pH 7.0, less citric acid was needed for a unit change in pH of the sodium-citrate buffer, while above pH 8.0, more sodium carbonate and citric acid were needed for a unit change in the final Sodium-citrate buffered extender (Na-C), indicating high buffering capacity of this medium. The Glucose-glycine buffered extender (G-G), also required more sodium carbonate for a unit change of pH at above pH 6.5, also Indicating high buffering capacity of this medium. This was the same situation with the Tris-buffered extender (Tris), while the response with the Tissue - culture buffer extender (YCN) was always linear, indicating poor buffering capacity of the medium.

Justification of the Coefficient of Use of the Working Time of the Unit Change for Harrowing Winter Crops with Simultaneous Top Dressing

The dependences of the coefficient of use of the working time of the change of the proposed multifunctional unit for harrowing winter crops with simultaneous additional fertilizing with solid mineral fertilizers are theoretically justified. In the conditions of agriculture of Krasnodar Territory, with an increase in the working speed of the unit, a significant decrease in this coefficient was found for various ruts and capacities of the fertilizer silo. For the proposed unit, all components of the cycle time spent on performing two working and two idle passes through the field with the shuttle method of movement, as well as the number of cycles per shift, the actual duration of the shift time and its utilization rate are calculated. With an increase in the working speed of the unit, all other things being equal, the value of the shift time coefficient decreases.

Measuring the effect of Brand Personality on Brand Loyalty: Mediating Role of Customer Satisfaction

Purpose - This study conceptualizes the measuring effect of brand personality along with its five dimensions on brand loyalty with the help of customer satisfaction played the role of mediation among the users of Samsung cell-phones. Design/MethodologyApproach - The study was in quantitative nature. Data was collected from 418 respondents from the different cities of Sindh like Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Sukkur through a survey questionnaire, and data was analyzed through smart PLS Software by applying the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. Findings - The findings executed that the keeping in view all other things constant one unit change in brand personality cause a change of 0.919 in customer satisfaction, one unit change in brand personality cause a change of 0.879 in brand loyalty and one unit change in customer satisfaction will cause a change of 0.095 in brand loyalty. As the results suggest that the brand personality has a positive strong relation with brand loyalty directly, here customer satisfaction has played the role of partial mediator between brand personality and brand loyalty at very weak relations with brand loyalty. Thus increasing error is at the minimum position because all the values are lying on the positive axis. Practical Implications - This study strongly assists marketers to improve customer loyalty strategies. This study has figured out the clear picture for marketers that if the customers perceive highly based on brand personality so it would be nice for marketers to strengthen the brand personality attributes for brand loyalty. Origionality/Value - This study is not only emphasized the brand personality but also put an in-depth eye on customer satisfaction. In this study, customer satisfaction played a partial mediating role because of the positive and strong relationship found between brand personality and brand loyalty.