An indicator system for measuring the input and output aspects of sustainable economic development efficiency is devised in this paper, alongside a novel super-EBM-Malmquist model that estimates the ESDE of 30 Chinese provinces spanning the period from 2008 to 2020. The ESDE ranking categorizes the 30 provinces of China into four groups based on the quartile method. Temporal variation within provinces and regional disparities in ESDE are analyzed using the Dagum Gini coefficient and Gaussian Kernel density function. Subsequently, the connection between ESDE in different provinces is scrutinized through the lens of a refined gravity model and social network analysis. The ESDE network encompasses the connections between provinces sharing related relations. Research results demonstrate an upward trend in China's average ESDE, with the eastern region firmly in the forefront, central and western regions pursuing catch-up development, and the northeast region showing developmental retardation. A consistent pattern is apparent in the ESDE levels across different provinces, characterized by a methodical decline from high to low. Provinces with advanced development stages demonstrably surpass those with rudimentary development, epitomizing a pronounced polarization pattern. The eastern and western regions demonstrate differing levels of ESDE development, with a strong connection observed in the east and a weaker connection in the west, showcasing a significant regional imbalance. The association network exhibits significant spatial spillover effects in the Beijing-Tianjin Urban Agglomeration and the Yangtze River Delta, while the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Central regions demonstrate substantial spatial benefit relationships. These findings provide a substantial understanding crucial for promoting sustainable and balanced economic growth within China.
Food security underpins human well-being and the quality of life we experience. An examination of Korean adults' food security explored its connection to the number of teeth they retained. The analysis of the raw data gathered from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII (2016-2018) included information from 13199 adults, all of whom were 19 years of age or older. Multiple multinomial logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between food security and the number of teeth, while controlling for demographic and health variables as confounding factors. In the adjusted model, controlling for socioeconomic, medical, and behavioral factors, participants experiencing frequent insecurity regarding various food groups had an odds ratio of 380 (95% CI 156-921) for 16-20 teeth loss, contrasting with those who reported food security. The study demonstrated a connection between food security levels and the number of teeth remaining in Korean adults. check details For this reason, food security is an integral component of achieving and maintaining superior oral health over a lifetime.
To meet the demands of the growing population of senior citizens, the creation of new assistive technologies is ongoing. Future users will need training programs in order for these technologies to be effectively and successfully employed. Future training resources will become scarce, creating difficulties due to evolving demographics. In this regard, coaching robots may display outstanding potential, specifically for providing assistance to elderly people. Still, the body of knowledge surrounding this technology's influence and the perceptions surrounding it regarding older persons' well-being is remarkably scant. This paper investigates the benefits of using a robot coach (robo-coach) to teach younger seniors how to use a novel technology. Autumn 2020 saw a study undertaken in Austria, involving 34 participants, divided equally between employees nearing the end of their three-year employment tenure and retirees starting their initial three years of retirement. The group consisted of 23 women and 11 men. An examination of the perceived usability and the user experience of the robot's assistive function in a learning setting was undertaken to assess the expectations and perceptions of the participants. A positive outlook from the participants, combined with encouraging results, points to the robot's suitability as a coaching assistant for everyday routines.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the environmental problems associated with improperly handled plastic waste became more apparent than ever. The imperative for fresh solutions pertaining to plastic usage was thrust into the spotlight once more. Packaging applications stand to benefit from the remarkable ability of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) to supplant conventional plastics. check details The biodegradability and biocompatibility of this material establish it as a sustainable solution. High production costs and less-than-ideal physical properties, relative to synthetic polymers, continue to hinder industrial implementation of PHA. The scientific community's ongoing research tackles the shortcomings stemming from the use of PHA. This review explores the prospect of PHA and bioplastics replacing traditional plastics, emphasizing sustainability for a better future. Highlighting the bacterial production of PHA, this analysis scrutinizes current limitations within the production process and their consequent implications for industrial application, followed by an evaluation of alternative strategies for creating a sustainable and circular bioplastic economy.
Adults possessing multiple health conditions encountered a heightened danger from contracting COVID-19. In contrast to other OECD nations, Western Australia's infection and death counts remained comparatively low from 2020 until early 2022, as proactive border policies enabled widespread vaccinations to be implemented ahead of the broader infection surge. Western Australian adults (18-60 years) with comorbidities were examined regarding their thoughts, feelings, risk perceptions, and practices surrounding COVID-19 and its vaccines. In-depth qualitative interviews, 14 in number, were conducted from January to April 2022, precisely as the disease initially spread. We analyzed the results, employing an integrated approach of inductive and deductive coding, which incorporated the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) and vaccine belief models. Those who quickly embraced COVID-19 vaccines, convinced of their safety and effectiveness in countering the dangers of COVID-19, proceeded to get vaccinated. Vaccine-reticent individuals were less convinced of the disease's severity or of their personal susceptibility, and they likewise had reservations concerning the vaccines' safety. check details Despite the initial reluctance of some participants, the mandated requirement influenced their decision to get vaccinated. This research aims to analyze the correlation between individual perceptions of comorbidities and COVID-19 risks, vaccine hesitancy, and the potential impact of mandatory vaccination policies on vaccine uptake within this demographic group.
A significant driver of steady economic growth is substantial investment in infrastructure. Although investments in infrastructure are steadily growing, large-scale infrastructure projects unfortunately present concomitant efficiency and environmental concerns warranting thorough analysis. Measuring environmental regulation efficiency by the entropy weight method and infrastructure investment efficiency using the Super-SBM model, the spatial Durbin model is then applied to examine the influence mechanism and spatial effects of the former on the latter. The study's results show spatial agglomeration is a factor in both environmental regulation and infrastructure investment efficiency. Moreover, infrastructure investment efficiency can be boosted by environmental regulations, but a U-shaped pattern emerges as regulatory pressure rises. Eventually, the ramifications of environmental regulation upon the efficiency of infrastructure investment demonstrate a U-shaped pattern. China's environmental regulations and infrastructure investment efficiency displayed significant improvements from 2008 throughout 2020. Moreover, moderate environmental standards boost the effectiveness of infrastructure investments and limit spatial leakage, though stringent environmental controls seem to have the reverse effect. This research extends the existing literature on environmental regulation and production efficiency, providing a reference point for developing policies to enhance infrastructure investment efficiency within the context of ecological sustainability.
The objective of this study is to determine the association between engagement in physical activity and the development of depressive and anxious symptoms. The COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong in 2022 necessitated the continuation of strict control measures. Consequently, large-scale sporting activities, along with other major occurrences, were suspended. Vaccination venues were established by repurposing many recreational facilities that were closed. Therefore, a decrease in the frequency and intensity of physical activity was expected. For the purpose of a cross-sectional survey, 109 working adults in Hong Kong were selected. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form was adopted because it is the most broadly used scale for assessing and evaluating physical activity levels. Regular exercise was practiced by roughly a quarter of those surveyed. According to the survey, respondents spent, on average, less than an hour on physical activity per week. Perceived self-esteem and mental well-being experienced a positive correlation with physical activity levels, even at low to moderate levels, as revealed by the study's findings. Regarding the specific relationship, self-esteem and perceived mental well-being demonstrated a negative correlation with depression and anxiety. Engagement in low physical activity exhibited a full mediating effect on anxiety levels. Light workouts could potentially culminate in reduced anxiety levels, this reduction occurring indirectly through the mediation of perceived mental well-being. A correlation was absent between low physical activity levels and anxiety levels.