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Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) classifies fines as coal particles that are less than 3.35 mm in size. Fines are one of the problems MCM is facing and have occasionally led to penalties from some customers. This paper quantifies the fines generated in MCM from the working face to the run-of-mine stockpile and its economic and environmental impacts. Data about the wash plant's production losses were collected through an examination of missed deadlines, stoppages due to tail-end blockages, and conveyor belt breakdowns using company reports. Data on coal dust concentrations were obtained from the mine. It was found that the overall haulage system generates about 27% of the fines of the coal produced monthly. The total monetary loss per shift from production and the wash plant is BWP 418,285. Coal dust concentration underground is kept within acceptable limits due to strict engineering control measures while it exceeds the required levels on the surface and is difficult to control as it is exposed to the atmosphere. As a result, the vegetation around the mining concession is affected by coal dust. Fine generation; Dust production; Coal degeneration; Economic impact; environmental impact.

A significant amount of research has been conducted regarding the resilience of the regions and the factors that contribute to allow them to face challenges, crises, or disasters. The rise of promising sectors like Machine learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance this research using computing power in regional economic, social, and environmental data analysis to find patterns and create prediction models. Through Machine Learning, the following research introduces the use of models that can predict the performance of a region in disasters. A case study of the performance of USA Counties during the Covid19 first wave period of the pandemic and the related restrictions that were applied by the authorities was used in order to reveal the obvious or hidden parameters and factors that affected their resilience, in particular their economic response, and other interesting patterns between all the involved attributes. This paper aims to contribute to a methodology and to offer useful guidelines in how regional factors can be translated and processed by data and ML/AI tools and techniques. The proposed models were evaluated on their ability to predict the economic performance of each county and in particular the difference of its unemployment rate between March and June of 2020. The former is based on several economic, social, and environmental data -up to that point in time- using classifiers like neural networks and decision trees. A comparison of the different models' execution was performed, and the best models were further analyzed and presented. Further execution results that identified patterns and connections between regional data and attributes are also presented. The main results of this research are i) a methodological framework of how regional status can be translated into digital models and ii) related examples of predictive models in a real case. An effort was also made to decode the results in terms of regional science to produce useful and meaningful conclusions, thus a decision tree is also presented to demonstrate how these models can be interpreted. Finally, the connection between this work and the strong current trend of regional and urban digitalization towards sustainability is established.

The environmental impacts of activities such as raw material extraction, construction of infrastructure, and demolition, place construction as one of the sectors that exert the highest pressures on the environment, society, and economy. Some of the major environmental impacts for which the construction industry is responsible are mineral resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation. Among the different strategies that exist to decrease such impacts, recycling demolition waste into recycled concrete aggregates has been considered a promising alternative. As such, at present, the literature dealing with the impact assessment of recycled aggregate concrete structures is very extensive. Therefore, the objective of this article is to present a critical view of the state-of-the-art in terms of sustainability assessment of recycled aggregate concrete structures, taking a holistic perspective by considering environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Organizing sports events have played a role in the local community's economy. The research purpose was to estimate how the implementation of the 2022 Solo Mayor Cup sporting event will play a role in the local community's economy, such as output, added value, income creation, and job creation. The study used a quantitative descriptive study with a survey design. A total of 1,470 visitor surveys were generated (426 local visitors and 1,044 non-local visitors). The study used a quantitative descriptive study with a survey design. A total of 1,470 visitor surveys were generated (426 local visitors and 1,044 non-local visitors). The results show that the 2022 Solo Mayor Cup sporting event created an average output of 1,109.15 thousand rupiahs, an average income of 124.40 thousand rupiahs, and an average gross value added of 262.40 thousand rupiahs, and an average workforce can be absorbed 207 people. The existence of the 2022 Solo Mayor Cup sporting event can increase the host economy due to relevant direct expenditures from sports bodies for wages and due to visitors spending on accommodation, transportation, food and beverages, and shopping. Apart from that, the 2022 Solo Mayor Cup sporting event also created new job opportunities, increasing household income. The Walikota Solo Cup 2022 has a positive economic impact on the people of Solo., Penyelenggaraan acara olahraga telah berperan dalam perekonomian masyarakat setempat. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk memperkirakan bagaimana pelaksanaan ajang olahraga Piala Walikota Solo 2022 akan berperan dalam perekonomian masyarakat setempat, seperti output, nilai tambah, penciptaan pendapatan, dan penciptaan lapangan kerja. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif dengan desain survei. Sebanyak 1.470 survei pengunjung dihasilkan (426 pengunjung lokal dan 1.044 pengunjung non-lokal). Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif dengan desain survei. Sebanyak 1.470 survei pengunjung dihasilkan (426 pengunjung lokal dan 1.044 pengunjung non-lokal). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ajang olahraga Piala Walikota Solo 2022 menghasilkan output rata-rata sebesar 1.109,15 ribu rupiah, pendapatan rata-rata sebesar 124,40 ribu rupiah, dan rata-rata nilai tambah bruto sebesar 262,40 ribu rupiah, serta rata-rata tenaga kerja dapat diserap sebanyak 207 orang. Adanya ajang olahraga Piala Walikota Solo 2022 dapat meningkatkan perekonomian tuan rumah karena pengeluaran langsung yang relevan dari badan olahraga untuk upah dan karena pengeluaran pengunjung untuk akomodasi, transportasi, makanan dan minuman, dan belanja. Selain itu, ajang olahraga Piala Wali Kota Solo 2022 juga menciptakan lapangan kerja baru, meningkatkan pendapatan rumah tangga. Walikota Solo Cup 2022 memberikan dampak ekonomi yang positif bagi masyarakat Solo.&nbsp

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected everyday lives worldwide. As governments started to implement confinement and business closure measures, the economic impact was felt by entire societies immediately. The urgency of such a theme has led researchers to study the phenomenon. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to provide the state of the art on relevant dimensions and hot topics of research to understand the economic impacts of COVID-19. In this survey, we conduct a text mining analysis of 301 articles published during 2020 which analyzed such economic impacts. By defining a set of relevant dimensions grounded on existing literature, we were able to extract a set of coherent topics that aggregate the collected articles, characterized by the predominance of a few sets of dimensions. We found that the impact on "financial markets" was widely studied, especially in relation to Asia. Next, we found a more diverse range of themes analyzed in Europe, from "government measures" to "macroeconomic variables." We also discovered that America has not received the same degree of attention, and "institutions," "Africa," or "other pandemics" were studied less. We anticipate that future research will proliferate focusing on several themes, from environmental issues to the effectiveness of government measures. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el valor de mercado (VM) de futbolistas profesionales de las 5 mejores ligas europeas de fútbol. Se analizó el efecto de las variables independientes sobre el VM de los futbolistas, mediante una ANOVA con un nivel de significación de p 30 años. Los delanteros y centrocampistas, mostraron mayor VM en comparación con los porteros y los laterales. Los futbolistas que representaron a sus países en partidos internacionales mostraron mayor VM en comparación con los que no lo hicieron. Los futbolistas de formación juvenil en clubes de la PL y La Liga (LL) mostraron mayor VM en comparación con los futbolistas de otros clubes. En conclusión, factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos afectan el VM de los futbolistas. Los resultados de esta investigación pueden ser útiles para los directores deportivos en el proceso de selección de futbolistas profesionales. The objective of this study was analysed to the market value (MV) of professional soccer players from Top-5 European Soccer Leagues. An ANOVA analysed the effect of the independent variables on the MV of the soccer players, with p30 years. Forward and midfielders showed greater MV compared to goalkeepers and backs. Soccer players that represented their countries at international matches showed greater MV compared to those that did not. The soccer players with a youth background formation in their clubs in the Premier League and La Liga showed greater MV compared to soccer players coming from other clubs. In conclusion, intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the MV of soccer players. Research results may be useful to the sport managers in the selection of professional soccer players. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o valor de mercado (VM) de jogadores de futebol profissional das 5 melhores ligas europeias de futebol. O efeito das variáveis independentes sobre a VM dos futebolistas foi analisado por meio de uma ANOVA com nível de significância de p 30 anos. Os atacantes e meio-campistas mostraram maior VM em relação aos goleiros e laterais. Os jogadores de futebol que representaram seus países em jogos internacionais apresentaram maior MV em comparação com aqueles que não o fizeram. Jogadores de futebol em formação de jovens em clubes da PL e La Liga (LL) apresentaram maior VM em comparação com jogadores de futebol de outros clubes. Em conclusão, fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos afetam a VM dos jogadores de futebol. Os resultados desta pesquisa podem ser úteis para dirigentes esportivos no processo de seleção de jogadores profissionais de futebol.

Globally, of all mycotoxins, aflatoxins present a significant threat to human and animal health and has resulted in the introduction of strict food regulatory limits to protect public health. A systematic review, was performed to elucidate the rationale applied in establishing aflatoxin standards and evaluate the economic impacts of these. The focus was peanuts, a principal trading commodity susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Results revealed that although regulations are established in many countries, there is huge disparity in the maximum limits applied due to different methodologies used when considering exposure assessment. Moreover, in countries most affected by aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, few, if any standards exist. In the case of risk assessments, knowledge gaps identified include the impact of climate change on peanut aflatoxin contamination, the role of aflatoxins in child stunting, Kwashiorkor and immunomodulation and a lack of occurrence and exposure data in many developing countries from contaminated peanuts. Few quantitative studies evaluating the impact of aflatoxin regulations on trade exist and evidence is lacking in terms of what happens to exports that do not meet regulatory requirements. Evidence does suggest a lack of knowledge of the extent of the aflatoxin problem, associated health risks and mitigation strategies in developing countries. A hugely important factor that needs to be highlighted is that while there is a fundamental right for sufficient, safe, nutritious food, in many cases in low-income and lower middle-income countries there exists an incredibly difficult and complex trade-off between food security and food safety.

This article addresses the circular economy as a response to Covid-19. The discussion provides a literature-based examination of the Covid-19 pandemic focusing on two areas: Human health and the environment and highlights the impact of the pandemic on pollution, waste, and environmental resiliency. © 2022 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began February 24, 2022, is ongoing, with a cost of many thousands of lives, catastrophic property destruction, and displacement of millions. As the international community grapples with nuclear threats and a humanitarian disaster resulting from the war, many small states in the region are struggling to maintain economic stability and military security. Perhaps no small state is more immediately affected than geographically unique Mongolia, situated between world powers Russia and China. This thesis examines how Russia’s war in Ukraine is impacting Mongolia in the economic and military domains. The thesis finds that because Mongolia’s 2011 foreign policy concept and 2015 military strategy remain in place, there is little chance of any change in current military strategy. The economic effects, however, have been pronounced: fuel prices have risen by 68 percent and consumer goods by 15.7 percent. The thesis concludes that Mongolia’s overreliance on Russia leaves it vulnerable to severe economic impacts over which it has little control. The thesis recommends that Mongolia pursue economic self-sufficiency in critical areas such as electrical power and that it assess ways to stabilize its economy in times of regional or international conflict. The thesis also recommends that Mongolia’s military innovate in response to the war and continue to develop its strength. Major, Mongolian Armed Forces Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Cross-border investment and trade give rise to both economic gains and economic vulnerabilities. As geopolitical competition is intensifying, governments increasingly resort to restricting cross-border investment and trade. Policies are informed by a desire to limit security risks and secure technological advantages rather than pursue efficiency gains.

In pursuance of the Saudi vision 2030, the Al-Hasa municipality has been allocating a total of US$ 60.1 million since 2018 to the implementation of a modern Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) management system. In addition to the improved old components, the system involves six new-engineered cells, five of which will be gradually implemented in progresses, two waste sort-out lines station, and LFG energy recovery. The present research aimed at investigating the environmental and economic impacts of this MSW management system. For this purpose, the authors applied the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Life Cycle Costs Analysis (LCCA) approaches. The main results showed that the air quality was not affected. For instance, gas emission, like carbon monoxide, was less than 0.1 ppm. However, soil and groundwater were contaminated due to leachate infiltration from the uncontrolled cell in which Chloride, Nitrate, and Sulfate exceeded the maximum limits. As for noise, it was found to be high near the sorting-out station at 71.1 Leq dBA. In terms of the financial aspect, the improved MSW management was relatively feasible despite its high costs over its revenues. Thus, the negative cash-flow could be supplemented by setting household taxes at US$ 29 per capita per year, which makes the project cost-effective. Thus, the research recommends continuing the MSW management project.

The measures against the spread of the Covid-19 virus have massive effects on local economies. By means of an explorative qualitative case study in deprived neighbourhoods in the Middle Lower Rhine region of Germany, this paper explicitly aims at examining the Corona pandemic’s impact on their endogenous potential. In this context, the focus is on organisations whose main contribution lies in the fulfilment of the function of integration and communication. The analysis is based on theoretical concepts of the local economy, but it also refers to crisis as well as transition research, especially the multilevel perspective framework. By means of desktop research, a focus group with multipliers involved in local economic contexts as well as thirteen guideline-based interviews with the heads of local organisations, the subsequent analysis reveals the partially counteracting effects of the Corona pandemic on the organisations’ socio-economic embeddedness. On the one hand, they are threatened by economic bottlenecks, by pending social consequences of a longer period without or with minimized offerings as well as by fear of contagion and exhaustion. While the organisation’s perceived level of urgency varies greatly, their level of uncertainty is generally high. On the other hand, organisations of the local economy benefit from a positive push in the areas of digitization and new life and working environments (home-based work), as well as from a strengthening of local solidarity and cohesion.

We would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Science (PGC2018-093506-B-100) for the financial support., In this article, we investigate the determinants of individuals’ opinions concerning the economic impact of immigrants. Unlike most previous studies, we use a large sample of 61 countries (Joint WVS/EVS 2017–2020 dataset) that are either net receivers or net emitters of migrants. Using a multilevel model, we test the effect of individuals’ characteristics and of several macroeconomic variables on the assessment of immigrants’ impact on development. We highlight that natives’ evaluation of the economic consequences of immigration is more influenced by age, trust, education, and income than by contextual variables such as growth, inflation, inequalities, income level, or number of immigrants in the country. Our results match with the hypothesis that immigrants are considered substitutes for low‐ and medium‐skilled workers in capital‐abundant countries. However, neither labour‐market nor welfare‐state considerations can be considered as the main drivers of the appraisals made about the economic impact of immigration. Our results tend to confirm the prediction that greater contact with immigrants reduces anti‐immigrant opinions, in particular for skilled people. In contrast, immigrant inflows lead low‐ and medium‐skilled people to make worse judgments concerning the economic consequences of immigration. All in all, our results validate the view that education comprises a major part of the cognitive assessment of the role played by immigrants in the economy, at least in high‐income countries., Spanish Government PGC2018-093506-B-100

The Handbook will provide a conceptual framework for the assessment of the social and economic impact of foreign immigration in mountain and rural areas together with an overview of the set of methods adopted in the MATILDE project to carry out the assessment at the territorial level. Specific focus is being placed on the action-research approach adopted in the case studies., and the challenges faced therein amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. An in-depth analysis of Matilde's case studies and the local variations of the evaluation processes complete the volume., The handbook will be published as an academic book at a further date, depending on the contract negotiations and the related schedule provide by the publisher.

The Handbook will provide a conceptual framework for the assessment of the social and economic impact of foreign immigration in mountain and rural areas together with an overview of the set of methods adopted in the MATILDE project to carry out the assessment at the territorial level. Specific focus is being placed on the action-research approach adopted in the case studies., and the challenges faced therein amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. An in-depth analysis of Matilde's case studies and the local variations of the evaluation processes complete the volume.

Background Taenia solium cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease that is endemic in many low- and middle-income countries where risk factors for disease transmission are present. The economic impact of cysticercosis on public health and on the pig production sector is not well known in many of those countries, including Burundi. This study aimed at estimating the burden of T. solium cysticercosis in Burundi including data on humans and pigs. Methods Epidemiological and economic data were collected from literature up to July 30, 2021 and governmental and non-governmental agencies. Direct and indirect costs for neurocysticercosis (NCC)-associated epilepsy and losses due to porcine cysticercosis were estimated to assess the economic burden, while the health burden was estimated using zoonotic disability-adjusted life years (zDALYs). Different probability distributions (Uniform, Beta, Dirichlet and Gamma) were applied depending on the type of epidemiological parameter. Monte Carlo simulations and 100,000 iterations were used to calculate the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) for each parameter and perform sensitivity analyses. Results In Burundi, 4.26 million USD (95% UI, 1,858,308–8,190,951) were estimated as economic impact due to T. solium cysticercosis in humans and pigs, of which 40.2% (95% UI, 10.3–75.1) of the total costs were due to NCC-associated epilepsy and 59.8% (95% UI, 24.9–89.7) of the losses due to porcine cysticercosis. The cost per NCC-associated epilepsy case was 72 USD (95% UI, 25–168), representing 30.8% of the GDP per capita in 2020. The probable incident cases and deaths for NCC-associated epilepsy were 9065 (95% UI, 2370–16,716) and 61 (95% UI, 16–114), respectively. More than 2 zDALYs (95% UI, 1.1–3.4) per thousand person-years was estimated, of which an average of 1.3 DALYs [0;0] (95% UI, 0.3–2.6) was due to NCC- associated epilepsy and 0.8 animal loss equivalents (ALEs) (95% UI, 0.3–1.5) due to porcine cysticercosis. Conclusions This study provides evidence of a significant burden of T. solium cysticercosis for Burundi’s population. We urge policy makers to use these evidence-based results and put T. solium cysticercosis on the public health agenda of the country. This study recommends urgent action to find solutions for integrated control strategies for T. solium cysticercosis in Burundi.

Turist profillerinde yaşanan değişikliklerle birlikte, birçok ülke alternatif turizm çeşitlerine daha fazla önem vermeye başlamıştır. Bu çeşitlerden biri de av turizmidir. Av turizmi, son yıllarda ülkelerin ekonomisine ciddi oranda katkı sunan bir sektör haline gelmiştir. Av turizmi, hem bireylerin şehir yaşantısından uzaklaşarak doğayla buluşmasını hem de yaban hayvanlarının sürekliliğinin sağlanması için önemli bir olgudur. Kastamonu ili de sahip olduğu yaban hayatı sahalarıyla av turizmi için oldukça elverişli bir bölgedir. Bu çalışmada av turizmi faaliyetlerinin, bölgeye kattığı ekonomik etkilerin belirlenmesi ve bu etkilerin arttırılması için ilgili paydaşlar açısından farkındalık oluşturmak amaçlanmıştır. Bu kapsamda 2021-2022 av sezonunda Kastamonu’ya gelen yerli ve yabancı turistlere yönelik ilgili kurumların kayıtları incelenmiştir. Yapılan incelemeler sonucunda, av turizminden elde edilen gelirin önemli derecede olduğu belirlenmiş ve bu düzeyin arttırılması için çalışma kapsamında bazı öneriler sunulmuştur., With the changes in tourist profiles, many countries have started to give more importance to alternative tourism types. One of these types is hunting tourism. Hunting tourism has become a sector that contributes significantly to the economy of countries in recent years. Hunting tourism is an important phenomenon both for individuals to get away from city life and to meet with nature and to ensure the continuity of wild animals. Kastamonu province is a very suitable region for hunting tourism with its wildlife areas. In this study, it is aimed to determine the economic effects of hunting tourism activities in the region and to raise awareness in terms of relevant stakeholders in order to increase these effects. In this context, official information for domestic and foreign tourists coming to Kastamonu in the 2021-2022 hunting year has been examined. As a result of the examinations, it was determined that the income obtained from hunting tourism was significant and some suggestions were presented within the scope of the study to increase this level.

The maritime transport sector is nowadays an object of interest for the scientific community and shipping companies due to its embodied environmental and economic impacts. In this context, the Life...

Objective Background Method Results Conclusion Implications The current study aimed to examine the economic impact of COVID‐19 virus on family dynamics and college‐age children's mental health in China and to identity personal and social or relational resilience factors that could buffer the negative consequences of COVID‐19.Since an outbreak of COVID‐19 was first reported in China in December 2019, it has profoundly changed the lives of families and children of all ages. In particular, it has created challenges among families with college‐age young adult children.Using a sample of 484 college students from 21 universities in China, an online survey design was utilized to obtain information from these students on their family demographics and economic situation, parent–child interactions, and individual well‐being during COVID‐19.Results from structural equation modeling suggested that family income loss due to COVID‐19 was related to economic pressure. Economic pressure was associated with negative interactions between parents and young adult children, which were associated with problems in young adult children's mental health (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms). Further, self‐control was found to buffer the association between family income loss and economic pressure, and respect for family was found to weaken the association between economic pressure and negative parent–child interactions.Findings supported the hypotheses of the negative impacts of COVID‐19 on young adult children's mental health and the resilience factors that buffered the negative impacts.Implications to family researchers, family life educators, practitioners, and policymakers were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Family Relations is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The impact of COVID-19 that started from local China has sent a ripple impact globally. Since the identification of COVID-19 in December 2019, the world has become a witness to its impact on the economy and human life loss. Global markets are in free fall with the disruption in the supply chain and reduced manufacturing due to lockdowns and restrictions. With the reduced global trade and falling GDP forecasts, the world is stepping towards an anticipated recessionary period. This chapter covers the impact of COVID-19 on international trade and its issues and actions. Trade is an essential system that protects livelihoods and boosts the country's economy. Due to ongoing COVID-19, the impact on trade is severe. The demand for non-essential commodities has fallen sharply. Though the impact of trade is less for developed countries, its impact on developing countries is far worse. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the GDP has fallen by an overall 2 percent for the world, where we have observed that 2.5 percent is for developing countries and 1.8 percent for the developed countries. It is too early to assess the full impact of COVID-19 on the trade, but in this uncertainty, the country can do the following to keep the impacts minimized. 1) Improve transparency about trade policy, which will boost confidence in traders. 2) The supply of essential products should not be disturbed, and 3) Restrictions on export should be reduced. The Government also needs to ensure that the decisions are taken keeping in mind the impact on producers and consumers. Though this study is illustrative, it still gives a clear understanding of the extent of global economic pain for developing countries and the assistance that will be needed to bring the economy back on track.

A circular economy (CE) is often seen as a promising way to address pressing environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. However, the CE concept remains contested, and the implementation of circular strategies (CS) does not automatically improve all dimensions of sustainability. However, assessing the economic impacts of CS implementation is crucial to making the transition from linear to circular value chains. Despite the broad literature on CE indicators, a critical evaluation of economic CE indicators (eCEis) that conduct assessments on a value-chain level is still missing. This study addresses this gap by critically evaluating how capable eCEis are of measuring the economic impacts of implementing CS at the value-chain level. We first identify existing meso eCEis through a literature review, deriving a sample of 13 meso eCEis. We then qualitatively evaluate the eCEis based on criteria synthesised from requirements for CE indicators proposed in the literature. We find that existing meso eCEis only partly fulfil these criteria and consequently have limited capabilities for measuring the economic impacts of the implementation of CS at a value-chain level. The indicators largely satisfy the specific criteria diagnostic and useful, moderately satisfy the criterion practical, and barely satisfy the criteria systemic and transparent. We therefore recommend that future studies on eCEis place a stronger focus on adopting a systemic perspective, discuss their limitations and uncertainties in more detail, and consider combining meso eCEis with the indicators of other dimensions (environmental, social) and levels (micro, macro)., Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3 (2), ISSN:2730-5988, ISSN:2730-597X

Background: As the pandemic time went by in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), various patterns toward COVID-19 itself and its impacts, implementation of prescribed preventive measures among the team members, and those of their patients, including immunization process, have been revealed. These patterns were of both empirical and evidence-based kind and consequently formed dental personnel behavior. The aim was to evaluate and compare the COVID-19 status of dentists in B&H, implementation of prescribed preventive measures, and usage of various kinds of PPE, at the beginning of the pandemics and now, 2.5 years later, including dentists’ current vaccination status, and their opinions and attitudes toward the national COVID-19 economic impact on dental practice. Methodology: Study research was in a form of a cross-sectional longitudinally designed online survey and was conducted in two parts. Results and conclusions: Dental professionals in B&H had a high frequency of COVID-19 symptoms in the second pandemic year. The vaccination status of dentists in B&H was in line with the global average values of vaccinated professionals. Dentists used patient management preventive measures and PPE recommended by WHO, but some preventive measures have been changed and prioritized recently. The economic impact of pandemics on dentistry was predominantly negative.

MXenes are currently a research hotspot in the field of 2D materials, hinting to revolutionize material technology. Their layered architecture allows for molecular intercalation, defect engineering, and surface band gap functionalization, with applications as diverse as energy storage and drinking water desalination. Its structural and functional integrity has prompted the scientific community to investigate novel compositions in an effort to leverage electrochemical activity, mechanical robustness, flexibility and environmental stability. However, the current synthesis routes present a bottleneck in proposing MXenes as a sustainable material for the future. Therefore, by expanding the reach of synthetic chemistry towards efficient strategies for green production, we present the first comprehensive introspection of the use of green solvents and their impact on material properties during MXene synthesis. This review is an attempt to quantify the intriguing characteristics of MXene nanocomposites by embracing design tools like the ‘iceberg model’. To further evaluate the performance of MXenes fabricated using green strategies (such as eutectic etching) we have made an attempt to critically compare them with conventional MXenes by examining surface characteristics, electrochemical analysis, charge transfer mechanisms etc. Conclusively, we aim to instigate concern about the environmental impact of MXene synthesis and instil a multidisciplinary approach to tailor environmentally benign, scalable and efficient MXene derivatives for commercial energy applications. The review provides an immersive account linking UN sustainable development goals with the industrial outlook of green MXenes, it highlights their impact on climate change, potential to build technically advanced economies, low cost production and range of applications.

Enrico Torre,1 Giorgio Lorenzo Colombo,2 Sergio Di Matteo,3 Chiara Martinotti,3 Maria Chiara Valentino,3 Alberto Rebora,1 Francesca Cecoli,1 Eleonora Monti,1 Marco Galimberti,4 Paolo Di Bartolo,5 Germano Gaggioli,6 Giacomo Matteo Bruno2 1Endocrinology Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases Unit - ASL3, Genoa, Italy; 2Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; 3S.A.V.E. Studi Analisi Valutazioni Economiche S.r.l., Health Economics & Outcomes Research, Milan, Italy; 4DP Trade SA, Lugano, Switzerland; 5Diabetes Center of Ravenna, Romagna Diabetes Clinical Network, Romagna Local Health Authority, Ravenna, Italy; 6Cardiology Unit Villascassi Hospital - ASL3, Genoa, ItalyCorrespondence: Giorgio Lorenzo ColomboDepartment of Drug Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pavia, Pavia, ItalyEmail giorgio.colombo@unipv.itBackground: In Italy, the adoption of a total lockdown has generated almost total suspension of outpatient visits except for emergencies. Even after lockdown, the pandemic fear created additional barriers to access the health services. The aim of our study is to evaluate the economic impact of the lockdown for COVID-19 on public health in Italy, focusing on its effects on diabetic population.Materials and Methods: We analyzed the impact of the lockdown on excess mortality and morbidity in the Italian diabetic population during 2020. The analysis was divided into several steps: a quantification of specialist visit reduction, the calculation of excess mortality in the diabetic population, the economic evaluation of the slowdown in the use of innovative diabetic therapies. Furthermore, the impact of the lockdown on the reduction of procedures and follow-up visits in diabetic population was evaluated. The overall impact of the pandemic and lockdown effects on costs and quality of life was then calculated.Results: During 2020, a drop of 28% in patient access has been observed. Diabetic patients recorded a twice higher mortality value compared to general population (20.4% vs 10.2%). The analysis of market data revealed a slowdown in consumption of new antidiabetic therapies (− 14%, 27% vs 41%). We estimated an expense of € 26.6 million for NHS and a loss of 257 utilities in diabetic population due to the missed benefits related to slowdown in innovative antidiabetic drugs use and non-optimal follow-up and control of diabetes complications. In simulation scenarios, we also estimated an overall expenditure ranging from € 38.7 to 94.0 million and a loss of 294– 836 utilities.Conclusion: Diabetic population paid a high tribute to pandemic and lockdown, both in terms of number of deaths and burden of diabetic complications, together with an overall deterioration of quality of life.Keywords: COVID-19, diabetes type II, diabetic complications, quality of life, economic impact

Beyond posing a major health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted profound psychological, social, and economic impacts on populations worldwide. Mass quarantines and social isolation have affected the mental health of the wider population, exacerbating other stressors, including fear of the virus and its repercussions, general uncertainty, and financial insecurity. The pandemic has challenged the broader delivery of healthcare––ranging from the need to triage limited hospital resources to balancing risk mitigation with maintaining medical care. Specific to gastroenterology, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has not only been associated with complicating extant medical conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but has also forced a shift in the practice of gastroenterology by patients, families, and healthcare providers alike. The gastroenterology field has been required to adapt its practices to minimize the possibility of viral spread while still upholding patient care. Healthcare practitioners in GI have helped to treat COVID-19 patients, stratified inpatient and outpatient visits and procedures, and shifted to telemedicine. Still, as is the case with much of the general population, healthcare providers working in GI practice or endoscopy have faced personal and professional stressors, mental health difficulties, social isolation, financial pressures, and familial burdens––all of which can take a toll on practitioners and, by extension, the provision of GI care overall. This article will highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the psychological wellbeing, social engagement, and economic conditions of the public, healthcare providers, and GI professionals specifically. Recommendations for strategies that can continue GI services while maintaining safety for both caregivers and patients are put forth to help uphold critical GI care during this worldwide crisis.

As COVID-19 continues to persist, there is a need to examine its impact among sexual and gender minority individuals, especially those with intersecting vulnerabilities. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a global sample of sexual and gender minority individuals (n = 21,795) from October 25, 2020 to November 19, 2020, through a social networking app. We characterised the HIV prevention and HIV treatment impacts of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 mitigation response and examined whether subgroups of our study population are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Many sexual and gender minority individuals reported interruptions to HIV prevention and HIV care and treatment services. These consequences were significantly greater among people living with HIV, racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, individuals with a history of sex work, and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. These findings highlight the urgent need to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 among sexual and gender minority individuals.

The expression of innovation is captured in increasingly diverse processes. Both technological and non-tech-nological innovations are applied. This is because tourism businesses need to adapt to changing market conditions and to offer a new generation of modern services. Qualitative changes in tourism activities due to the availability of tech-nology for the general public also lead to an increasing degree of self-service when organising a trip, which inevitably affects changes in the number of jobs created by tourism and the distribution of income in tourism and tourism-related industries. By treating the current stage of tourism globalization as a stage of globalization based on information dis-semination and image engineering, where countries compete for the efficiency of information dissemination, it is im-portant to objectively assess the extent to which tourism innovativeness enhances the economic benefits of tourism. The aim of the research is to evaluate the economic impact caused by tourism innovativeness on the basis of the latest trends in the expression of tourism innovativeness. Regression analysis revealed that in 2012-2017, the indicators of tourism innovation had a direct and indirect economic impact.

Research background: The Horn of Africa is arguably the most vulnerable region for many shocks. Currently, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is spreading fast in the region. The number of new cases and the mortality of this pandemic have increased dramatically. As lockdown and movement restrictions are the major strategies suggested to minimize the spread of the virus, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are not only limited to public health but also have a major impact on the economic aspects. Purpose of the article: This review paper aims to synthesize the consequences of COVID-19 on the digital economy in the Horn of Africa. We review and recommend adopting the digital economy could be the remedy to go through COVID-19 safely as the world sees digital companies boom during the pandemic. Methods: To achieve our purpose, we applied qualitative analysis and synthesis as a method, and recently published papers in the area (most suitable to our aim) are included as data sources. Findings & Value added: The Horn region is already feeling the economic impact of the virus and we discussed it in terms of monetary, fiscal, current account balance, and unemployment expected impacts. However, this pandemic is not just about adverse impacts; it is also about unanticipated business opportunities. In this perspective, the decline of the international oil price during this pandemic can be seen as a blessing in disguise since countries in the region are net importers of crude oil. Moreover, Ethiopia’s coffee export has increased rapidly at a level of record sales of about 665 million dollars from July 2019 to April 2020 (10 months’ export). The lion’s share of this upsurge has been achieved because of the rise in the coffee consumption from homes of the country’s Arabic coffee importers, such as Germany, the U.S, and Saudi Arabia due to the lockdown measures. The paper also covers the prospects of the virus by pinpointing various booming companies that are digital-based businesses. Therefore, we urge the Horn of African countries to internalize these opportunities by swiftly investing in the telecom sector to shift to the online way of doing business.

Background and aims Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) – a progressive subset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – is a chronic liver disease that can progress to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease (ESLD) if left untreated. Early-stage NASH is usually asymptomatic, meaning a large proportion of the prevalent population are undiagnosed. Receiving a NASH diagnosis increases the probability that a patient will receive interventions for the purpose of managing their condition. The purpose of this study was to estimate the disease burden and economic impact of diagnosed NASH in the United Kingdom (UK) adult population in 2018. Methods The socioeconomic burden of diagnosed NASH from a societal perspective was estimated using cost-of-illness methodology applying a prevalence approach. This involved estimating the number of adults with diagnosed NASH in the UK in a base period (2018) and the economic and wellbeing costs attributable to diagnosed NASH in that period. The analysis was based on a targeted review of the scientific literature, existing databases and consultation with clinical experts, health economists and patient groups. Results Of the prevalent NASH population in the UK in 2018, an estimated 79.8% were not diagnosed. In particular, of the prevalent population in disease stages F0 to F2, only 2.0% (F0), 2.0% (F1) and 16.5% (F2), respectively, were diagnosed. Total economic costs of diagnosed NASH in the UK ranged from £2.3 billion (lower prevalence scenario, base probability of diagnosis scenario) to £4.2 billion (higher prevalence scenario, base probability of diagnosis scenario). In 2018, people with NASH in the UK were estimated to experience 94,094 to 174,564 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) overall. Total wellbeing costs associated with NASH in 2018 were estimated to range between £5.6 to £10.5 billion. Conclusion The prevention and appropriate management of adult NASH patients could result in reduced economic costs and improvements in wellbeing.

In the new context of COVID-19, the authors assess the economic gap of the absence of students from Cluj-Napoca for one month due to the pandemic quarantine and isolation. The economic gap is presented in terms of estimated expenditures that did not occur, on an average monthly basis. The estimations are based on the survey data carried among Babeș-Bolyai University students that assessed its students’ expenditure for the year of 2015 in Cluj-Napoca. Our results suggest that due to the absence of the student population from Cluj-Napoca, around 33.4 million Euros is the expected amount of loss per month through spending that does not occur.

Purpose: This study explored the state of the literature on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in two subject areas: (1) economics, econometrics, and finance, and (2) business, management, and accounting. The study focused on the most productive and influential journals, countries, institutions, documents, and clusters of keywords.Methods: Data were retrieved from Scopus on November 21, 2020. The search term was the keyword “COVID-19” in the title, abstract, and author’s keywords, and the articles were limited to two subject areas. The data were analyzed using VOSviewer and Excel.Results: In the analysis of 1,719 articles on COVID-19, the most productive journal that published these articles was Gender, Work, and Organization (n=49). The most productive country and institutions were the United States (n=526) and Universiteit van Pretoria (n=16) and the University of Oxford (n=16), respectively. Based on citations, the most influential authors, countries, and journals were Dmitry Ivanov (n=233), the United States (n=1,027), and Finance Research Letters (n=326), respectively. The most cited article was authored by Stefan Gossling (n=157) on the impact of COVID-19 on society, the economy, and tourism. The articles were from 111 countries, of which 85.6% had collaborations. The keywords of research on COVID-19 formed 14 clusters (e.g., small and medium enterprises, aviation, tourism, banking and finance, supply chain, economic growth, and the digital economy).Conclusion: The number of COVID-19 articles related to economics and business is fairly large and is continuing to grow significantly. The keyword analysis showed that COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on all economic sectors.

Fil: González, Fernando Antonio Ignacio. National University of the South. Institute of Economic and Social Research of the South; Argentina. Fil: González, Fernando Antonio Ignacio. National Council for Scientific and Technical Research. Institute of Economic and Social Research of the South; Argentina. Fil: London, Silvia. National University of the South. Institute of Economic and Social Research of the South; Argentina. Fil: London, Silvia. National Council for Scientific and Technical Research. Institute of Economic and Social Research of the South; Argentina. Natural disasters generate profound socio-economic changes in the affected communities. A consistent methodology that allows quantifying its impacts is essential for the implementation of adaptation and mitigation policies. The objective of this work is to provide a systematic review of existing methodologies to quantify the economic impact derived from the occurrence of natural disasters. To do this, a keyword search is conducted in two search engines (Scopus and Science Direct). The results suggest the existence of wide differences between methodological proposals. Consideration of physical damage (direct effect) is more frequent than the impact on productive flows (indirect effect). The destruction of the natural environment (loss of ecosystem services) is not usually included. In the context of global climate change, these findings highlight the importance of having a consistent methodology.

Bibliographie: Dietz, Kristina: Pandemie trifft Krise(n). COVID-19 in Lateinamerika (Zur Diskussion), PERIPHERIE – Politik • Okonomie • Kultur, 3+4-2020, S. 455-472. https://doi.org/10.3224/peripherie.v40i3-4.14

Objective: The objective of this study is to provide a general overview regarding the increased inequality due to Covid-19 in various areas and this all had an integrated effect on women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the globe and in Vietnam. Research Design & Methods: The data is collected using various research papers and the reports accessing the inequalities across the world and in Vietnam. The methodology used is compiling the various reports to provide general overview as how Covid-19 has fuelled existing inequalities and providing overview of the situation the women-owned SMEs are facing in this challenging time of pandemic. Findings: The results from the study suggest that the inequalities in various areas have increased such as inequality between and within different countries, employment sector inequalities, gender inequalities, educational inequalities, age-related inequalities and all these has created a wider gap between the barriers faced by men and women across the globe. The women-owned SMEs has found to have the higher challenges in Vietnam as compared to men-owned SMEs. Implications & Recommendations: The current literature identified the increasing inequalities of women in various countries and particular in SMEs in Vietnam. There are several studies conducted in developed countries to determine the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, but there is dearth of studies conducted in Vietnam, especially to study the effect of Covid-19 on the women entrepreneurs. It is important to conduct this kind of study in Vietnam on women SMEs to study the impact of Covid-19 to understand the barriers the women might have faced and how the government can provide the appropriate support to women entrepreneurs in the future which further can help in empowering the women in Vietnam and helping the economy to grow. Contribution & Value Added: This paper provides the general overview of increased inequalities in various areas and in particular women-owned SMEs in Vietnam which is not summarized in earlier studies conducted in Vietnam and hence this study aims to contribute to fill this gap in the literature and provided an avenue for the future research.

The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the world, and its impact has permeated virtually all facets of society. The next wave of the COVID-19 shock will trigger another or more protracted recession in many countries, with annual growth projected to fall below recessionary thresholds. The resulting hit to global income as compared with forecasts for 2020 and 2021 will be enormous. The situation will be more precarious for developing countries across different income categories that are struggling with unsustainable debt burdens. Firms should implement business-continuity plans and ensure readiness for business constraints by prioritizing critical business activities and creating contingency plans for disruption. Governments should implement support programs to avert these difficulties. The shock to labor supply in each country should be managed in a manner that does not leave a post-COVID-19 world more disastrous. Close cooperation among all relevant actors is key to containing COVID-19 and mitigating its economic repercussions on countries around the globe. In addition, better waste management and commitment to climate change must take center stage to reduce the environmental impacts of COVID-19 on countries and the world.

Vegetarians have claimed and actively promoted the advantages of plant-based alternative milks as the best option for human nutrition and health, compared to the natural dairy milk. However, numerous scientific evidences and reports have demonstrated that the natural milk possesses more beneficial nutrients and bioactive components than artificially manufactured plant-derived milks. The biochemical and nutritional advantages and functionalities of natural dairy milk cannot be replaced by man-made or crafted plant-based beverage products. On the other hand, the tremendous increase in production and consumption of the plant-based alternative milks in recent years has led a serious business downturn in traditional roles and stability of the dairy industry, especially in the major dairy producing Western countries. Although plant-based milk alternatives may have some benefits on nutrition and health of certain consumers, the plant-derived alternative milks may not overshadow the true values of natural milk. Milk is not a high fat and high cholesterol food as animal meat products. Unlike plant-based alternative milks, natural milk contains many bioactive as well as antiappetizing peptides, which can reduce body weight. It has proven that taking low-fat, cultured and lactase treated milk and dairy products with other diversified nutritionally balanced diets have been shown to be healthier dietary option than plant-based milk/foods alone.

COVID-19 pandemic has generated global challenges such as health emergencies and economic crises, which have had direct effects on all economic sectors, including tourism and travel, which are the main contributors to the service industry worldwide; this industry experienced the impacts of the pandemic more severely due to the mobility restrictions established by the different levels of government, as a contingency measure in the face of growing infections. At national level, the losses in tourism were close to USD 1,810 million, and a shortfall of approximately 70,000 full employment positions. In this context, the objective of this study is to examine the way in which the owners and administrators of commercial premises in the Turi parish of the Cuenca canton, coped with the pandemic and its effects, using quantitative analysis methods and tools. The information that supports the analysis was obtained through a survey process in the territory using structured questionnaires, which allowed collecting the perceptions of the main actors related to tourism in Turi with respect to the variables where the effects of the pandemic are manifested. The main results suggest that in the parish there is little presence of public policies aimed at reactivating tourism, so the sustainability of small businesses is vulnerable. The main conclusion of this research is focused on the importance of activating rural community tourism, positioning it as an economic activity for the population of Turi. La pandemia del COVID-19 ha generado desafíos globales, como emergencias sanitarias y crisis económicas, que han provocado efectos directos en todos los sectores económicos, incluido el turismo y los viajes, que son los principales contribuyentes a la industria de servicios en todo el mundo. Esta industria experimentó los impactos de la pandemia con más severidad debido a las restricciones de movilidad establecidas por los diferentes niveles de gobierno, como medida de contingencia ante los crecientes contagios. A nivel nacional, las pérdidas en el turismo se aproximaron a los USD 1.810 millones, así como de aproximadamente 70.000 plazas de empleo pleno; en este contexto, el objetivo de este estudio se centró en examinar la forma en que los propietarios y administradores de los locales comerciales en la parroquia Turi del cantón Cuenca, sobrellevaron la pandemia y sus efectos, utilizando métodos y herramientas de análisis cuantitativo. La información que sustenta el análisis se obtuvo mediante el levantamiento de información en territorio utilizando cuestionarios estructurados, los cuales permitieron recoger las percepciones de los principales actores relacionados con la actividad turística en Turi con respecto a las variables donde se manifiestan los efectos de la pandemia. Los principales resultados sugieren que en la parroquia existe poca presencia de políticas públicas destinadas a la reactivación turística, por lo que la sostenibilidad de los pequeños negocios se presenta vulnerable. La principal conclusión de esta investigación señala la importancia de activar el turismo comunitario rural, colocándolo como primordial actividad económica para la población objeto del estudio.

Maternal-Fetal Telemedicine (teleMFM) has gained wider adoption in recent years with several studies validating the clinical benefits as an adjunct to in-person care. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic and environmental impact of an outpatient teleMFM program...

The Russian airplane crash in 2015 has severely affected the tourism industry in Egypt. The present article is focused on the impacts of economic, political, and social impacts on Egyptian tourism after this crisis. The present study aimed at dealing with the crisis to mitigate the consequences and allow the companies to make the best use of it to restore their business. The present article has also discussed the crisis impacts on the financial situation of company A which is one of the top five hospitality companies in Egypt. Crisis management and investments in human resources were the most effective strategies to overcome the harsh consequences of the crisis on tourism sector. The present study data is based on the Egyptian ministry of tourism figures, internet, articles, and international channels reports aimed to explain how the political, social, and economic events had a negative impact on the hotel industry in Egypt.

Malaysia recorded its first case of COVID-19 on January 24th, 2020 with a stable number of reported cases until March 2020, where there was an exponential spike due to a massive religious gathering in Kuala Lumpur. This caused Malaysia to be the hardest hit COVID-19 country in South East Asia at the time. In order to curb the transmission and better managed the clusters, Malaysia imposed the Movement Control Order (MCO) which is now in its fourth phase. The MCO together with targeted screening have slowed the spread of COVID-19 epidemic. The government has also provided three economic stimulus packages in order to cushion the impact of the shrinking economy. Nonetheless, early studies have shown that the MCO would greatly affect the lower and medium income groups, together with small and medium businesses.

COVID-19 has caused in Portugal an enormous economic, financial, and social challenge that must be answered by the national and local Portuguese government authorities. Several support measures have been launched to protect businesses, economic sustainability, and employment levels. At the national level, projects with greater economic emphasis are highlighted, which aim to support companies and their workers. The most noteworthy are measures relegated to simplified lay-off, social protection for individuals in isolation or with illness, and support for the payment of basic expenses such as electricity, water, and gas. Also, on this level, measures concerning teleworking and school at home through television have changed the daily lives of families. At the local level, there was a greater emphasis on the social dimension. The role played by local authorities and local councils in stimulating the local business community and supporting the creation of volunteer banks, the delivery of food and medicines, and the production of goods for individual protection was highlighted.

Background Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare, debilitating, and potentially fatal disease. This study aims to quantify the economic burden of PAH in Spain. Methods The study was conducted from a societal perspective, including direct and indirect costs associated with incident and prevalent patients. Average annual costs per patient were estimated by multiplying the number of resources consumed by their unit cost, differentiating the functional class (FC) of the patient. Total annual costs per FC were also calculated, taking the 2020 prevalence and incidence ranges into account. An expert committee validated the information on resource consumption and provided primary information on pharmacological consumption. Unit costs were estimated using official tariffs and salaries in Spain. A deterministic sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the uncertainty of the model. Results The average annual total cost was estimated at €98,839 per prevalent patient (FC I-II: €65,233; FC III: €103,736; FC IV: €208,821), being €42,110 for incident patients (FC I-II: €25,666; FC III: €44,667; FC IV: €95,188). The total annual cost of PAH in Spain, taking into account a prevalence between 16.0 and 25.9 cases per million adult inhabitants (FC I-II 31.8%; FC III 61.3%; FC IV 6.9%) and an incidence of 3.7, was estimated at €67,891,405 to €106,131,626, depending on the prevalence considered. Direct healthcare costs accounted for 64% of the total cost, followed by indirect costs (24%), and direct non-healthcare costs (12%). The total costs associated with patients in FC I-II ranged between €14,161,651 and €22,193,954, while for patients in FC III costs ranged between €43,763,019 and €68,391,651, and for patients in FC IV between €9,966,735 and €15,546,021. In global terms, patients with the worst functional status (FC IV) account for only 6.9% of the adults suffering from PAH in Spain, but are responsible for 14.7% of the total costs. Conclusions PAH places a considerable economic burden on patients and their families, the healthcare system, and society as a whole. Efforts must be made to improve the health and management of these patients since the early stages of the disease.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common disorder characterised by heterogeneous symptoms often leading to decreased functioning, work productivity and quality of life. Although a multimodal approach is used to treat FM, a significant proportion of patients show low satisfaction with perceived care, potentially resulting in an inefficient use of health care resources. The aim of the present review is to summarize the available evidence about the economic impact of FM and the specific cost drivers of health care expenditure for the syndrome.MedLine and Web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible articles. Studies reporting direct medical and non-medical costs and/or indirect costs of FM were included. Annual costs per person were extrapolated from each study and converted to United States Dollars ($) after adjusting the local currency for inflation in year 2019.The 36 studies included in the final synthesis differed considerably in their design and in the cost categories analysed. Overall risk of bias was high. Estimates for the total annual direct costs per patient ranged from $ 1750 to $ 35,920 in the USA and from $ 1250 to $ 8504 in Europe. In most included studies, medications were the major contributor to overall expenditures.Fibromyalgia represents a substantial economic burden to health care systems and society. A better understanding of this complex disorder may not only improve quality of life of FM patients, but also have a significant impact on direct and indirect costs associated with the syndrome.

Background Patients with bipolar disorder are often unrecognised and misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder leading to higher direct costs and pressure on the medical system. Novel screening tools may mitigate the problem. This study was aimed at investigating the direct costs of bipolar disorder misdiagnosis in the general population, evaluating the impact of a novel bipolar disorder screening algorithm, and comparing it to the established Mood Disorder Questionnaire. A decision analysis model was built to quantify the utility of one-time screening for bipolar disorder in primary care adults presenting with a depressive episode. A hypothetical population of interest comprised a healthcare system of one million users, corresponding to 15,000 help-seekers diagnosed with major depressive disorder annually, followed for five years. The model was used to calculate the impact of screening for bipolar disorder, compared to no screening, in terms of accuracy and total direct costs to a third-party payer at varying diagnostic cut-offs. Decision curve analysis was used to evaluate clinical utility. Results Compared to no screening, one-time screening for bipolar disorder using the algorithm reduced the number of misdiagnoses from 680 to 260, and overall direct costs from $50,936 to $49,513 per patient, accounting for $21.3 million savings over the five-year period. The algorithm outperformed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, which yielded 367 misdiagnoses and $18.3 million savings over the same time. Decision curve analysis showed the screening model was beneficial. Conclusions Utilisation of bipolar disorder screening strategies could lead to a substantial reduction in human suffering by reducing misdiagnosis, and also lessen the healthcare costs.

Major trauma is an event causing injuries that may determine an immediate or potential risk to the patient survival. A correct management of major trauma is decisive in reducing disability, which has relevance both from the point of view of the quality of life of the single individual and from the point of view of health expenditure. The primary clinical approach to the polytraumatized patients is managed, in most cases, as outlined in the guidelines of Advanced Trauma Life Support, proposing conventional radiological investigations, such as chest and pelvis x-ray, and of FAST (focused abdominal sonography in trauma)/E-FAST (extended FAST) examinations, followed by selective targeted computed tomography (CT). This approach is questionable and is increasingly common in clinical practice the adoption of the immediate total-body CT in the diagnostic approach to the hemodynamically stable polytraumatized patient. However, the potential advantages of such conduct both in terms of clinical benefits and in terms of cost-effectiveness still need to be discussed. The objective of this review article consists of a descriptive analysis of the economic and clinical benefits of the adoption of immediate total-body CT in polytrauma patients through a literature review.

Essential Stories: Black Worker COVID-19 Economic Health Impact Survey finds that the current economic restructuring triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is compounding the Black jobs crisis in Southern California. With heightened unemployment, underemployment, and unsafe conditions for a workforce plagued by a long history of systemic racism, researchers find that it will take a decade to address these critical issues if state officials do not intervene sooner. This report is the first large-scale study of Black workers in Southern California, which is home to 60% of the Black population in the state. The report documents the challenges faced by nearly 2,000 Black workers in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other findings, the report notes close to 70% of Black workers who lost their jobs or were furloughed during the pandemic have not been called back to work. More than half of Black workers surveyed worked in essential or front line sectors pre-pandemic. As Black workers have navigated overlapping economic and health crises during the pandemic, there has been insufficient systemic support available and accessible to them. 71% of on-site workers were concerned about COVID-19 exposure on the job. A third of workers reported uncertainty that they could afford food in the next month. 90% percent of Black women surveyed had an increase in at-home and financial responsibilities during the pandemic, and many of their employers were inflexible in accommodating their needs. In response to the concerns of Black workers surveyed in the report and a subsequent exhaustive research analysis, the report offers the following key recommendations: 1) Long-term quality jobs, economic support, and COVID-19 recovery programming, 2) Black worker wellness support through targeted programming, 3) Direct workforce rights training and development programming. In order for the current economic restructure to lead to an equitable recovery, researchers emphasize the importance of amplifying the voices of Black workers. These recommendations have been further summarized in the report in context of regional, state, and federal labor policies.&nbsp

This document reports the results of the impact assessment of the ACTION project considering the entire duration of the project. Following the ACTION impact assessment methodology (D6.1) the main areas of impact considered are: scientific, social, economic, political and environmental. The transformative potential of the pilots is also considered together with their potential contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The areas of impact that score highest are the scientific and the social ones and promising results are observable also in terms of political impact