Will Environmental Regulation Narrow the Gap in Regional Economic Growth?

Empirical studies have shown that China's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law (APPCL2000), as an environmental regulation, has significantly alleviated the air pollution problem and improved the TFP of air polluting enterprises. However, few scholars have studied the regional heterogeneity of this policy. To study this issue, this manuscript introduces the "Hu Line" from the perspective of regional resource endowment differences and divides China into a resource advantage area (A area) and a resource disadvantage area (B area). Subsequently, this manuscript uses the triple difference model and big data of Chinese industrial enterprises to verify. The results show that under environmental regulations, the TFP of air polluting enterprises in B area has increased more than in A area, and the rapid decline in the proportion of low-efficiency air polluting enterprises in B area is the main mechanism. It shows that environmental regulation is beneficial to narrow the gap of regional economic growth and realize economic catch-up in resource-disadvantaged areas.

Characteristics of gas pressure change during the freezing process of gas-containing coal

To investigate the characteristics of gas pressure changes during the freezing of gas-containing composite coal, an experimental device for determining the freezing response characteristics of gas-containing coal was independently designed. Coal samples with different firmness coefficients from the No. 3 coal seam in Yuxi Coal Mine in Jincheng, Shanxi Province, were selected to determine the different freezing response characteristics. The gas pressure evolved under different temperatures (-10 °C-15 °C-20 °C-25 °C-30 °C) and different adsorption equilibrium pressures (1.0 MPa, 1.5 MPa, 2.0 MPa). The research results reveal that, during the freezing process of the gas-containing coal sample, the gas pressure in the coal sample tank changed as a monotonously decreasing function and underwent three stages: rapid decline, decline, and slow decline. The relationship between the gas pressure of the coal sample tank and the freezing time is described by a power function. Low temperatures promoted gas adsorption. As the freezing temperature decreased, the decrease of gas pressure in the coal sample tank became faster. During the freezing process, the adsorption capacity of soft coal was larger, and the gas pressure of soft coal was lower.

Cardiovascular disease protein biomarkers are associated with kidney function: the Framingham Heart Study

Background. Biomarkers common to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) may reflect early impairments underlying both diseases. Methods. We evaluated associations of 71 CVD-related plasma proteins measured in 2,873 Framingham Heart Study (FHS) Offspring cohort participants with cross-sectional continuous eGFR and with longitudinal change in eGFR from baseline to follow-up (ΔeGFR). We also evaluated the associations of the 71 CVD proteins with the following dichotomous secondary outcomes: prevalent CKD stage ≥3(cross-sectional), new-onset CKD stage ≥3 (longitudinal), and rapid decline in eGFR (longitudinal). Proteins significantly associated with eGFR and ΔeGFR were subsequently validated in 3,951 FHS Third Generation cohort participants and were tested using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to infer putatively causal relations between plasma protein biomarkers and kidney function. Results. In cross-sectional analysis, 37 protein biomarkers were significantly associated with eGFR at FDR<0.05 in the FHS Offspring cohort and 20 of these validated in the FHS Third Generation cohort at p<0.05/37. In longitudinal analysis, 27 protein biomarkers were significantly associated with ΔeGFR at FDR<0.05 and 12 of these were validated in the FHS Third Generation cohort at p<0.05/27. Additionally, 35 protein biomarkers were significantly associated with prevalent CKD, five were significantly associated with new-onset CKD, and 17 were significantly associated with rapid decline in eGFR. MR suggested putatively causal relations of melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM; -0.011±0.003 mL/min/1.73m2, p=5.11E-5) and epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1; -0.006±0.002 mL/min/1.73m2, p=0.0001) concentration with eGFR. Discussion/Conclusions: Eight protein biomarkers were consistently associated with eGFR in cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis in both cohorts and may capture early kidney impairment; others were implicated in association and causal inference analyses. A subset of CVD protein biomarkers may contribute causally to the pathogenesis of kidney impairment and should be studied as targets for CKD treatment and early prevention.

Lessons learned from a fatal case of tuberculous meningitis with a rapid decline in an infant

Tuberculous meningitis is a highly lethal, often underrecognized disease with characteristic clinical and imaging features which can be cured if the diagnosis and subsequent treatment are begun at early stages. Frequently, there is a delayed diagnosis of this condition due to unfamiliarity of clinicians in non-endemic areas about its presentation and diagnostic workup. This article presents a case of rapid decline and fatality due to tuberculous meningitis in an 11-month-old child from a non-TB-endemic area and describes the characteristic clinical presentation, imaging findings, and diagnostic pitfalls associated with this condition.

Age-associated changes in cumulus cells and follicular fluid: The local oocyte microenvironment as a determinant of gamete quality

The ovary is the first organ to age in humans with functional decline evident already in women in their early thirties. Reproductive aging is characterized by a decrease in oocyte quantity and quality which is associated with an increase in infertility, spontaneous abortions, and birth defects. Reproductive aging also has implications for overall health due to decreased endocrinological output. Understanding the mechanisms underlying reproductive aging has significant societal implications as women globally are delaying childbearing and medical interventions have greatly increased the interval between menopause and total lifespan. Age-related changes inherent to the female gamete are well-characterized and include defects in chromosome and mitochondria structure, function, and regulation. More recently, it has been appreciated that the extra-follicular ovarian environment may have important direct or indirect impacts on the developing gamete, and age-dependent changes include increased fibrosis, inflammation, stiffness, and oxidative damage. The cumulus cells and follicular fluid which directly surround the oocyte during its final growth phase within the antral follicle represent additional critical local microenvironments. Here we systematically review the literature and evaluate the studies that investigated the age-related changes in cumulus cells and follicular fluid. Our findings demonstrate unique genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes with associated metabolomic alterations, redox status imbalance, and increased apoptosis in the local oocyte microenvironment. We propose a model of how these changes interact, which may explain the rapid decline in gamete quality with age. We also review the limitations of published studies and highlight future research frontiers.

Group-Based Trajectory Modeling A Retrospective Study To Assess Adherence To Direct Oral Anticoagulants or Warfarin Among Atrial Fibrillation Patients and Comorbid Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Study.

Background Poor adherence to oral anticoagulants is a significant problem in atrial fibrillation (AF), especially among patients with comorbid hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hyperlipidemia as it increases the risk for cardiac and thromboembolic events. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) has been used to depict longitudinal patterns of adherence. Aim This primary objective was to describe adherence trajectory patterns of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or warfarin among AF patients with HTN, DM, and hyperlipidemia using GBTM. The secondary objective was to report the clinical outcomes and concomitant drug use among DOAC/warfarin cohort Method This retrospective study was conducted among continuously enrolled Medicare Advantage Plan from January 2016-December 2019. AF patients were included in this study if they had comorbid HTN, DM, and hyperlipidemia with at least one pharmacy claim for warfarin/DOAC prescription. Monthly adherence to DOAC/warfarin was measured using proportion of days covered (PDC) and then modeled in a logistic GBTM to describe patterns of adherence. Patient’s demographic, clinical characteristics, and concomitant use of DOACs/warfarin with CYP3A4,P-gp inhibitors were measured and compared across trajectories. Results Among 317 patients, 137 (59.62%) and 79 (24.92%) were DOAC, and warfarin users, respectively. The trajectory model for DOACs included gradual decline in adherence (GD, 40.4%), adherent (38.8%), and rapid decline (RD, 20.8%). The trajectories for warfarin adherence included gradual decline (GD, 18.9%), adherence (59.4%), and gaps in adherence (GA, 21.7%). Conclusion Adherence to oral anticoagulants is suboptimal. Interventions tailored according to past adherence trajectories may be effective in improving patient’s adherence.

Struktur Dan Komposisi Vegetasi Mangrove Di Kawasan Laguna Segara Anakan Cilacap

In coastal areas, mangrove communities have many functions economically, physically, and ecologically. One of the mangrove forest areas that is experiencing rapid decline in area is the Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap. The purpose of this study was to determine the structure and composition of mangrove vegetation. Vegetation data was collected by purposive sampling method and each station was made 9 sampling plots. The results found that there are 12 species consisting of 4 major mangrove families, 1 minor mangrove family and 2 associated mangrove families. In general, the mangrove tree vegetation in the eastern part of Segara Anakan is dominated by Aegiceras corniculatum with an INP ranging from 38.99-67.23%, the middle part is dominated by Nypa fruticans with an INP ranging from 47.80-70.18% and the western part is dominated by Sonneratia alba with an INP of 56.32%. Environmental quality measures include water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, soil pH, water pH, TSS, total soil N, organic C, soil phosphate still support mangrove life.

Indus Water Treaty in the Backdrop of Climate Change and its Consequences

Climate change is the main driving force that shall affect global distribution of water in future. It has already effected water variation in some regions in the world including the Himalayan countries which face rapid decline in water reserves. This climate change-driven water variation is likely to affect transboundary water sharing treaties and agreements, and may force the water sharing nations either to conflict or cooperation policies.

Pan Arabism 2.0? The Struggle for a New Paradigm in the Middle East

The Abraham Accords, signed in September 2020 have helped shed a light on a new discourse emerging from the Gulf that seeks to challenge some of the old dogmas that have dominated the region in the last few decades. A decade of turmoil that followed what was once dubbed as the “Arab Spring” finds a divided region, full of ethnic and religious conflict, ungoverned territories, and the growing reality of failed states. An “axis of resistance”, led by radical elements from both the Shi’a and the Sunni world, is perceived as a growing challenge to a group of actors led by a number of Gulf countries who identify radicalization as an existential threat. Facing the “axis of resistance”, a new “axis of renaissance” is coming of age with an alternative vision that seeks to change the face of the Middle East. In parallel to the rapid decline of the traditional Arab capitals, the Gulf is emerging as a more significant voice in the region due to its economic, political, and media influence. This article seeks to capture and explain the rise of this new Gulf-led axis and the early formulation of a new agenda of a more tolerant Middle East through a radical reshuffling of the order of priorities in the region.

A Significance of Land Cover - Why Wisents Succeed to Outlive Aurochs?

Context Two native European large herbivores: the aurochs (Bos primigenius) and the wisent (Bison bonasus) lived simultaneously until late Medieval Ages. A rapid decline of aurochs occurred between XV and VII centuries, while wisents lived in the wild until early XX century. Aurochs went extinct despite their strict protection, imposed by Polish kings. Since XV century, radical changes in land cover occurred all over Europe, which could influence the survival of those species. Objectives We aimed to present differences in geographical distribution and occurrence of aurochs and wisents, and identify major changes in land cover of Europe since Medieval Ages. Considering those, we were trying to explain differences in the survival of so closely related and biologically similar species. Methods We compared distribution and incidence of traditional geographical names associated with both species in central-eastern Europe, with historical changes in land cover there. Considering biological differences between aurochs and wisents we attempted to identify possible reasons for such difference in their survival. Results Since aurochs were predominantly true grazers, having higher preference towards open landscapes, they apparently were stronger affected by the loss of suitable habitats due to the development of agriculture. Wisents being more flexible could survive in forests avoiding encounters and conflicts with people. Conclusions Changes in land cover may be critical for the survival of endangered species, even strictly protected. This issue has to be seriously considered in nature conservation planning and in the evaluation of habitat quality for wildlife.