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The increasing rates of forest cover change and heightened vulnerability to deforestation present significant environmental challenges in Northeast India. This study investigates the dynamics of forest cover change and susceptibility to deforestation in this region from 2001 to 2021, utilizing data from the Hansen Global Forest Change (HGFC) product on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. A suite of multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) models—including VlseKriterijumska optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), and Weighted Aggregates Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS)—was employed to assess changes in forest cover and deforestation susceptibility across varied zones. Multicollinearity tests confirmed the relevance of the factors influencing deforestation. Statistical validations, such as the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, underscored the models' robustness, revealing statistically significant outcomes. Additionally, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis demonstrated the superior fit of the VIKOR model (AUC = 0.938) compared to SAW (AUC = 0.901), EDAS (AUC = 0.895), and WASPAS (AUC = 0.864) in predicting current deforestation susceptibility. Validation affirmed the reliability of all MCDM methods, with VIKOR displaying high sensitivity (True Positive Rate, TPR = 0.878) and optimal AUC (0.938). Correlation analyses among the models identified significant inter-relationships, notably a positive correlation between EDAS and SAW, and a negative correlation between VIKOR and SAW. The regions of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh were identified as experiencing significant forest cover loss, indicating a pronounced susceptibility to future deforestation. These findings underscore the need for immediate intervention to address this critical environmental issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the launch of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of companies committing to climate targets for large-scale reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While recent studies present various methodologies for establishing climate targets (e.g., sectoral decarbonization approach, near-term, long-term, net zero), we still don’t understand the explanatory factors determining the level of ambition companies demonstrate in target setting. In this paper, a two-stage qualitative study is conducted with a sample of 22 companies from five countries. First, these companies’ publicly disclosed climate targets are evaluated according to four target ambition criteria: target type, scope, timeframe, and temperature alignment. Secondly, multiple explanatory factors for target setting were identified during the content analysis of the interviews to see how present these factors appear in the ambition levels. Within companies with highly ambitious climate targets, the findings indicate that certain factors are highly present, including leadership engagement, continual management support, employee involvement, participation in climate initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration. Conversely, none of these key factors are highly present in companies with less ambitious climate targets. Rather, these companies strongly identify the initiating factors of market-related pressures and non-market stakeholder influence as being the driving forces behind their target setting. This paper contributes to the literature on corporate responses to climate change by expanding our understanding of explanatory factors for different corporate climate target ambition levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility limitations, including a decrease in walking speed, are major issues for people with autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). Improving our understanding of factors influencing walking speed in ARSACS may inform the development of future interventions for gait rehabilitation and contribute to better clinical practices. The objective of the study was to identify the factors influencing the self-selected walking speed in adults with ARSACS. The dependent variable of this cross-sectional study was the self-selected speed and the factors (independent variables) were age, sex, balance, balance confidence, knee flexion and extension cocontraction indexes, lower limb coordination, passive range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, knee and hip extension, and global spasticity. Multiple regression models were used to assess the relationships between walking speed and each factor individually. Six factors were significantly associated with walking speed and thus included in regression models. The models explained between 42.4 and 66.5% of the total variance of the self-selected walking speed. The factors that most influence self-selected walking speed are balance and lower limb coordination. In order of importance, the other factors that also significantly influence self-selected walking speed are ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, lower limb spasticity, knee extension range of motion, and confidence in balance. Balance and lower limb coordination should be targeted in rehabilitation interventions to maintain walking ability and functional independence as long as possible. The six factors identified should also be included in future studies to deepen our understanding of walking speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to assess the physical self-esteem of albinos in the Democratic Republic of Congo (more specifically, those living in the city-province of Kinshasa), and to identify the most explanatory factors. With this in mind, a physical self-esteem inventory was applied to 70 albinos living in Kinshasa, members of the Mwimba Texas Association. Following the administration of this inventory, it was found that the albinos surveyed had positive physical self-esteem. This positive self-esteem manifested itself in a positive perception of: (1) overall self, (2) physical value, (3) physical appearance and (4) strength. The study of explanatory determinants made it possible to target two factors that influenced all the dimensions of the self-esteem of the subjects surveyed (support of entourage and perception of albinos by entourage).

Background: Eating disorders are as common in Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa-New Zealand, as they are in non-Māori; however, research has focused on the experiences of non-Māori. This paper will describe explanatory factors, treatment experiences and what helps with recovery for Māori. Methods: Kaupapa Māori research methodology informed the methods and analysis. Fifteen semi-structured interviews comprised thirteen Māori participants with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder) and two whānau (support network) members. A thematic analysis was undertaken by a first cycle of coding that used deductive structural coding to identify data describing participants' perceived causes of eating disorders, their experience of treatment and recovery. A second cycle of coding used inductive analysis with descriptive and pattern coding. Results: Three overarching themes were antecedents (cumulative exposure), treatment (a system of complexities) and recovery (resource empowerment). Antecedents comprised cumulative exposure to body and sporting ideals and adversity as causal factors of eating disorders. In the treatment theme, a system of complexities critiqued rural settings for generalised mental health services, allocation of Māori cultural support, the economic burden of treatment, culturally incongruent treatment (methods, values) and a weight-focused discharge criterion. Recovery (resource empowerment) found appropriate health information, self-determination and connection to Māori culture and whānau aspirations helped with recovery. Conclusion: The diversity of birdcalls reminds us of the individuality of eating disorders. Health practitioners are reminded that just as the Tūī, Kākā and Kererū possess their own unique birdcalls, so do Māori with eating disorders and their whānau have their own experiences, needs and required treatment responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, city councils have become a powerful tool used to "motivate" entrepreneurship. Through a content analysis of the webpages of 50 Spanish city councils corresponding to the period 2015–2019, the evolution of the degree of disclosure of information on entrepreneurship has been analysed. A series of population, economic and political explanatory factors have researched the disclosure of this type of information in two ways. First, a cluster analysis was carried out based on a previously calculated disclosure index. Second, an analysis of variance was performed to verify the existence of an association between the proposed determining factors. The results show that the information disclosed on entrepreneurship by municipalities is related to the size of the population, municipal debt, institutional capacity, the unemployed population and political competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic and demographic indicators and the level of transparency of municipalities in the state of Maranhão. The transparency index was constructed, based on the LRF and LAI and consisted of 32 items. Subsequently, for to identify which factors explain the level of transparency, a multiple linear regression was carried out, comparing the explanatory variables for the level of transparency adopted in this study. The sample consisted of municipalities in the State of Maranhão, totaling 211 of 217 municipalities, as 6 do not have a website. The results of the multiple linear regression model indicate that the MHDI, the log of total GDP, the GDP per capita and the variable log of POP explain the NT of the municipalities surveyed to the point of explain the level of transparency of municipalities in Maranhão; only IFDM showed no relationship with NT among the variables analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Despite benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and its strategic place in the national guidelines for infant and young child feeding, its practice remains insufficient in Cote d’Ivoire. It is therefore important to identify its early stopping associated factors. We aimed to (i) assess the extent of children’s exposure to exclusive breastfeeding and the associated explanatory factors for discontinuation before six months, and (ii) to profile non-exclusively breastfed children and interrelationships between these factors. Methods A secondary analysis of data from the 2016 Cote d’Ivoire Fifth Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS5) of 980 children under six months of age was conducted in this study. Data were analyzed using the actuarial method of survival hazard estimation combined with the Wilcoxon (Gehan) test, discrete time proportional hazards regression models, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to profile the children. Results Maternal exposure to counseling session, age at delivery, and child sex were significantly associated with the likelihood of discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding before the first six months of life. Children deprived of EBF resided in urban areas, in high and very high economic welfare households. Their mothers had a secondary education or higher and had three or fewer children. Logistic analysis showed that health status and sex of the child were significantly associated (P

This research adds to the assessment of the causal relationships between residential electricity consumption and its explanatory factors. Johansen cointegration, autoregressive distributed lag model, the vector error correction model, and Wald causality tests are used. In both the short and long run, a unidirectional causality towards electricity consumption is identified. The sustainable development of the electricity sector in Cameroon, as defined by the national development strategy for 2030 and the long-term electricity sector development plan for 2030, requires an increase in GDP per capita, the adoption of a compact less energy-intensive urban model, the strengthening of control over the evolution of the number of subscribers on the distribution networks, and the reduction of CO2 emissions from thermal electricity generation.

Background: Despite benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and its strategic place in the national guidelines for infant and young child feeding, its practice remains insufficient in Cote d’Ivoire. It is therefore important to identify its early stopping associated factors. We aimed to (i) assess the extent of children’s exposure to exclusive breastfeeding and the associated explanatory factors for discontinuation before six months, and (ii) to profile non-exclusively breastfed children and interrelationships between these factors. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the 2016 Cote d’Ivoire Fifth Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS5) of 980 children under six months of age was conducted in this study. Data were analyzed using the actuarial method of survival hazard estimation combined with the Wilcoxon (Gehan) test, discrete time proportional hazards regression models, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to profile the children. Results: Maternal exposure to counseling session, age at delivery, and child sex were significantly associated with the likelihood of discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding before the first six months of life. Children deprived of EBF resided in urban areas, in high and very high economic welfare households. Their mothers had a secondary education or higher and had three or fewer children. Logistic analysis showed that health status and sex of the child were significantly associated (P < 0.001) with exclusive breastfeeding. An extremely important and rarely studied factor is that children who were sick in weeks prior to the survey were more likely to remain exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted OR 1.80; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.452, 2.234). Girls are less likely to be exclusively breastfed than boys (adjusted OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.22, 1.798). Low standard of living was associated with early cessation of EBF (adjusted OR 2.15; CI 1.325, 3.499). The duration of the exclusive breastfeeding was significantly longer among mothers with high exposure to medical discourse (adjusted OR 0.74; CI 0.595, 0.91). Conclusions: Improving the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Cote d’Ivoire requires strengthening the capacities of health professionals in terms of advice and assistance to mothers for the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its maintenance until six months of age, regardless of the health status and sex of the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gaps observed in entities' traditional reports and accounts led to the emergence of the integrated report (IR), which includes several content elements, namely the component relating to risks and opportunities. Within this scope, the specific risks that may affect an organization's capacity to create value are disclosed, among others, which is information of interest to the different stakeholders. This paper aims to identify the explanatory factors that influence the disclosure of risks in IRs. For this purpose, the IRs of entities listed on the Brazilian stock exchange for the year 2020 were assessed. The study was based on the explanatory theories of risk disclosure usually found in the literature, namely, the legitimacy, the agency, the signaling, and the upper echelon theories. Linear regression models were used with the disclosure rates of different types of risk as dependent variables. The size, profitability, indebtedness, independence, and gender diversity in the board of directors (BD), audit, and activity sector comprised the selected explanatory factors. Associations were found between some of the types of risks disclosed and the size of the entity, the existence of an audit, the independence of the BD, and the activity sector. The paper contributes to the literature about the explanatory factors of risk disclosure by exploring its analysis with different typologies and attributes, having the IR as a source of information, which is still little explored. The scientific contribution encompasses proposing a new risk analysis model in the IR. The innovative elements also comprise the classification of risks related to sustainable development (SD), including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the factors that explain why Beninese companies exceed the deadline for filing financial statements with the General Tax Directorate (DGI). Design/Methodology: The data has been collected using a questionnaire with sample of 105 companies, target population was accountants of various companies. Two methods of analysis have been adopted in this paper, descriptive and econometric analysis. Findings: From the descriptive analysis, the majority (65%) of the companies surveyed often exceed the deadline for filing financial statements. The results obtained from the descriptive analysis show that all the explanatory variables are considered except (the deadline for filing accounting documents in accounting firms is respected and the payment of declarations of various taxes is respected by accounting firms in assisting companies). Implications/Originality/Value: Given these results, companies should work towards a good accounting organisation and collaborate with accounting firms.

Understanding the characteristics that shape mobility could help to achieve more sustainable transport systems. A considerable body of scientific studies tries to determine these characteristics at the urban level. However, there is a lack of studies analyzing those factors for the heterogeneous zones existing in the suburbs of big cities. The study presented in this paper intends to fill this gap, in the context of two metropolitan corridors in the Madrid Region. Correlation analyses are used to examine how mobility patterns are affected by socioeconomic and urban form variables. Then, a cluster analysis is carried out to classify the types of zones we may find in the suburbs. Results show that the main characteristics leading towards higher car use are low urban density, few local activities, a high percentage of children, and a low percentage of seniors. As for the variable distance to the city center, it does not explain car use. Moreover, some remote areas have many walking trips. This is well understood in the cluster analysis; there are zones far away from the city center but that are dense and well provided for, which work as self-sufficient urban centers. Results reinforce the theories underlying polycentrism as a solution to the urban sprawl challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT This paper aims to identify the explanatory factors of mandatory disclosure (MD) and voluntary disclosure (VD) levels related to discount rates, based on disclosure theories. The size, leverage, profitability, and audit firms were selected from different theories, namely agency theory, signaling theory, positive accounting theory, including the political cost hypothesis, and the cost of capital theory. Furthermore, the materiality (weight of the items) and the relevance (nature) of the topic were also considered, based on the evidence already obtained in the literature. Research on disclosures related to discount rates has been assessed either as an incidental topic or from a limited-scope analysis, particularly with respect to MDs. This paper assesses this topic as its specific object of analysis for both MD and VD. The use of the discount rate has been assuming growing importance within financial reporting. Therefore, this topic should deserve particular attention from international standard-setting bodies. The understanding of the proper set of items to be disclosed and understanding the factors that explain its disclosure, aligned with the efforts to assure its compliance by legal authorities, may contribute to reducing asymmetries and increasing transparency in entities' financial reporting. This study uses the method of archival research and content analysis of consolidated reports and accounts for the year 2020 of listed entities in Euronext Lisboa. Regression models were used, having disclosure indices related to discount rates as dependent variables. This paper finds a positive association between disclosures related to discount rates and the entity’s size, as well as the materiality and the relevance, assessed by the weight of the items and the nature of the topic under assessment, respectively. It adds new explanatory factors on the VDs and MDs related to discount rates in a broader perspective of analysis.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the participation in the global textile and apparel value chain with special attention, first, to the case of three dynamic and interrelated economies (Mexico, the United States, and China); and second, to a general approach to a larger sample of countries through the analysis of trade in value added. From the descriptive analysis, a high domestic share in each country's exports is found. However, China is the leading exporter in the industry, accounting for around a third of the domestic value added in the global textile final demand. An econometric estimation has also been carried out to observe the effects of tariffs, FDI, and labor costs on the total and backward participation in the textile GVC. In this case, the sample has been extended to 39 developed and 22 developing countries. The results reveal tariff protection as a determinant of the degree of participation of the sector, especially when backward participation and developing economies are considered. However, FDI and labor costs only show the expected results in the case of developing countries. This may be due to the different tasks performed by developing economies (primarily manufacturing) versus developed economies (branding, design) within the sector's value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2021 onwards, female entrepreneurship is expected to grow very substantially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The introduction of teleworking and staggered hours in many countries at national or workplace level will make possible the conciliation between labour and family life. The purpose of this paper is to identify the most influential explanatory factors in the behaviour of female entrepreneurship in Europe so as to subsequently propose efficient economic policy measures to promote it. The distinction between opportunity and necessity female entrepreneurs have been considered since both motivation and factors are different in each case. 15 econometric models using the panel data method for a sample of 20 previously selected European countries (grouped by their GDP level) during the period 2001 to 2018 have been estimated to determine which explanatory factors affect female entrepreneurship and necessity-based female entrepreneurship. The empirical analysis used demonstrates that more women enter into entrepreneurship due to necessity rather than in pursuit of opportunity for European countries both with higher levels of GDP and for countries with lower levels of GDP. In this context, the following policy measures should be implemented to promote female entrepreneurship in Europe: the optimization of government spending (training courses and mentoring, public procurement, stronger networks, support in reconciling business and family life, etc.), the government incentives for subsidizing high interest rates to support women in accessing financing, and the improvement of entrepreneurship education to increase the confidence of women in themselves in their own entrepreneurial capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gaps observed in entities’ traditional reports and accounts led to the emergence of the integrated report (IR), which includes several content elements, namely the component relating to risks and opportunities. Within this scope, the specific risks that may affect an organization’s capacity to create value are disclosed, among others, which is information of interest to the different stakeholders. This paper aims to identify the explanatory factors that influence the disclosure of risks in IRs. For this purpose, the IRs of entities listed on the Brazilian stock exchange for the year 2020 were assessed. The study was based on the explanatory theories of risk disclosure usually found in the literature, namely, the legitimacy, the agency, the signaling, and the upper echelon theories. Linear regression models were used with the disclosure rates of different types of risk as dependent variables. The size, profitability, indebtedness, independence, and gender diversity in the board of directors (BD), audit, and activity sector comprised the selected explanatory factors. Associations were found between some of the types of risks disclosed and the size of the entity, the existence of an audit, the independence of the BD, and the activity sector. The paper contributes to the literature about the explanatory factors of risk disclosure by exploring its analysis with different typologies and attributes, having the IR as a source of information, which is still little explored. The scientific contribution encompasses proposing a new risk analysis model in the IR. The innovative elements also comprise the classification of risks related to sustainable development (SD), including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

Despite its widespread trajectory and global presence, studies on Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) are not frequent. Thus, this study aims to review the existing scientific literature on this institution to identify the main thematic nuclei, agreements, and discrepancies, and detect research gaps and outline future research lines. Based on the application of the PRISMA Protocol, three emerging thematic nuclei on ESCs have been detected: the factors that explain their creation; the factors that influence their effectiveness (and condition their success), and the criteria used to evaluate their effectiveness (related to these institutions' success or failure). In short, this is the first qualitative synthesis of the international literature on ESCs, focusing on their effectiveness and evaluation. It offers elements for future intervention and studies on these institutions, especially those newly created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disease affecting many systems and for which muscle weakness is one of the cardinal symptoms. People with DM1 also present with balance‐related impairments and high fall risk. The aim of this study was to explore explanatory factors of dynamic balance impairment in the DM1 population. Methods: A secondary analysis of data collected as part of a larger study was performed. The Mini Balance Evaluation System Test (Mini‐BESTest) was used to assess dynamic balance. Age, sex, and CTG repeat length in blood were retrieved from medical records and research files. The maximal isometric muscle strength of five lower limb muscle groups (hip flexors and extensors, knee flexors and extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors) was quantitatively assessed as well as fatigue. Standard multiple regression analysis was used. Results: Fifty‐two individuals (31 men) aged between 24 and 81 years were included. The final model explains 65.9% of the balance score; ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength was the strongest explanatory factor, followed by CTG repeat length, age and fatigue to a lesser extent. Discussion: Dynamic balance is impaired in people with DM1. Results of this study suggest that rehabilitation interventions aimed at improving strength of the ankle dorsiflexors and managing fatigue could help to improve dynamic balance in this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to identify the explanatory factors of collective competencies in fashion design teams using a survey of 22 fashion designers from Santa Catarina. Exploratory factor data analysis and analysis of variance techniques were applied. The results showed four explanatory factors: collective spirit, interaction, cooperation, and relationship. Our findings made evident how relevant these factors are in the composition and formation of groups, manifesting themselves as descriptive and essential attributes for collective competencies. The synergistic combination of the factors allows the teams to develop shared actions in favor of work organization based on interactions and visions, which, although distinct, can be shared.

We examined whether material and psychosocial resources may explain socioeconomic differences in diet quality. Cross-sectional survey data from 1461 Dutch adults (42.5 (SD 13.7) years on average and 64% female) on socio-demographics, diet quality, psychosocial factors and perceptions of and objective healthiness of the food environment were used in a structural equation model to examine mediating pathways. Indicators for socioeconomic position (SEP) were income, educational, and occupational level and the 2015 Dutch Healthy Diet (DHD15) index assessed diet quality. Material resources included food expenditure, perceptions of healthy food accessibility and healthfulness of the food retail environment. Psychosocial resources were cooking skills, resilience to unhealthy food environments, insensitivity to food cues and healthy eating habits. Higher SEP was associated with better diet quality; Beducation 8.5 (95%CI 6.7; 10.3), Bincome 5.8 (95%CI 3.7; 7.8) and Boccupation 7.5 (95%CI 5.5; 9.4). Material resources did not mediate the association between SEP and diet quality and neither did the psychosocial resources insensitivity to food cues and eating habits. Cooking skills mediated between 13.3% and 19.0% and resilience to unhealthy food environments mediated between 5.9% and 8.6% of the relation between SEP and the DHD15-index. Individual-level factors such as cooking skills can only explain a small proportion of the SEP differences in diet quality. On top of other psychosocial and material resources not included in this study, it is likely that structural factors outside the individual, such as financial, work and living circumstances also play an important role.

Background: No study has focused on the economic burden in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors, even though this knowledge is essential. This study reports on health care resource use and associated health care costs as well as related factors in a series of 1671 French long‐term NHL survivors. Methods: Health care costs were measured from the payer perspective. Only direct medical costs (medical consultations, outpatient treatments, hospitalizations, and medical transport) in the past 12 months were included (reference year 2015). Multiple linear regression was used to search for explanatory factors of health care costs. Results: In total, 1100 survivors (66%) reported having used at least 1 health care resource, and 867 (52%) reported having used at least 1 outpatient treatment. After the authors accounted for missing data, the mean health care cost was estimated at €702 ± €2221. Hospitalizations and outpatient treatments were the main cost drivers. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. For the 1100 survivors who reported using at least 1 health care resource, the mean health care cost was €1067 ± €2268. Several factors demonstrated statistically significant relationships with health care costs. For instance, cardiovascular disorders increased costs by 66% ± 16%. In contrast, rituximab or autologous stem cell transplantation as initial therapy had no effect on health care costs. Conclusions: The consideration of economic constraints in health care is now a reality. This retrospective study reports on a better understanding of health care resource use and associated health care costs as well as related factors. It may help health care professionals in their ongoing efforts to design person‐centered health care pathways. Improvements in the management of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have led to longer survival with potentially increased health care consumption and costs. This cross‐sectional study in long‐term NHL survivors shows that health care resource use and associated costs are linked to sociodemographic factors and comorbidities with no influence from previous lymphoma treatments (chemotherapy, rituximab, and transplantation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to identify the explanatory factors of collective competencies in fashion design teams using a survey of 22 fashion designers from Santa Catarina. Exploratory factor data analysis and analysis of variance techniques were applied. The results showed four explanatory factors: collective spirit, interaction, cooperation, and relationship. Our findings made evident how relevant these factors are in the composition and formation of groups, manifesting themselves as descriptive and essential attributes for collective competencies. The synergistic combination of the factors allows the teams to develop shared actions in favor of work organization based on interactions and visions, which, although distinct, can be shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the characteristics that shape mobility could help to achieve more sustainable transport systems. A considerable body of scientific studies tries to determine these characteristics at the urban level. However, there is a lack of studies analyzing those factors for the heterogeneous zones existing in the suburbs of big cities. The study presented in this paper intends to fill this gap, in the context of two metropolitan corridors in the Madrid Region. Correlation analyses are used to examine how mobility patterns are affected by socioeconomic and urban form variables. Then, a cluster analysis is carried out to classify the types of zones we may find in the suburbs. Results show that the main characteristics leading towards higher car use are low urban density, few local activities, a high percentage of children, and a low percentage of seniors. As for the variable distance to the city center, it does not explain car use. Moreover, some remote areas have many walking trips. This is well understood in the cluster analysis; there are zones far away from the city center but that are dense and well provided for, which work as self-sufficient urban centers. Results reinforce the theories underlying polycentrism as a solution to the urban sprawl challenge.

Surface albedo directly affects the radiation balance and surface heat budget, and is a crucial variable in local and global climate research. In this study, the spatial and temporal distribution of the surface albedo is analysed for Beijing in 2015, and the corresponding individual and interactive driving forces of different explanatory factors are quantitatively assessed based on geographical detectors. The results show that surface albedo is high in the southeast and low in the northwest of Beijing, with the greatest change occurring in winter and the smallest change occurring in spring. The minimum and maximum annual surface albedo values occurred in autumn and winter, respectively, and showed significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. LULC, NDVI, elevation, slope, temperature, and precipitation each had a significant influence on the spatial pattern of albedo, yielding explanatory power values of 0.537, 0.625, 0.512, 0.531, 0.515 and 0.190, respectively. Some explanatory factors have significant differences in influencing the spatial distribution of albedo, and there is significant interaction between them which shows the bivariate enhancement result. Among them, the interaction between LULC and NDVI was the strongest, with a q-statistic of 0.710, while the interaction between temperature and precipitation was the weakest, with a q-statistic of 0.531. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for understanding the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of surface albedo in Beijing and the physical processes of energy modules in regional climate and land surface models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the participation in the global textile and apparel value chain with special attention, first, to the case of three dynamic and interrelated economies (Mexico, the United States, and China); and second, to a general approach to a larger sample of countries through the analysis of trade in value added. From the descriptive analysis, a high domestic share in each country’s exports is found. However, China is the leading exporter in the industry, accounting for around a third of the domestic value added in the global textile final demand. An econometric estimation has also been carried out to observe the effects of tariffs, FDI, and labor costs on the total and backward participation in the textile GVC. In this case, the sample has been extended to 39 developed and 22 developing countries. The results reveal tariff protection as a determinant of the degree of participation of the sector, especially when backward participation and developing economies are considered. However, FDI and labor costs only show the expected results in the case of developing countries. This may be due to the different tasks performed by developing economies (primarily manufacturing) versus developed economies (branding, design) within the sector’s value chain.

BACKGROUND: Whole-body vibration is a major cause of lower back pain among employees, and the medical and preventive care teams of occupational health departments are often confronted with lower back pain problems among machine operators. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research are to determine the number of excavator drivers exposed to whole-body vibration levels above 0.5m/s2, identify other exposure factors that may contribute to back pain, and propose corrective measures. METHODS: Vibration measurements were carried out on individual excavator drivers while they were observed carrying out working tasks, after which prevention advice is given. Factors which determine vibration levels are logged on to a database. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis of several determining factors shows vibration exposure levels vary depending on the varied work tasks being carried out. CONCLUSION: This study identifies exposed employees among excavator operators. For each workstation, the determining factors that could explain the high exposures to vibrations are identified. This work shows the important role of tasks on exposure levels. A better adaptation of the tools used to carry out work tasks would allow a decrease in the vibration level of this type of machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban expansion is a spatio-temporal process that reflects the localization patterns of the population and its activities, which can cause irreversible impacts on the territory. The construction of narratives and the subsequent mapping of future scenarios has been revealed as a planning technique, which can help in the management and planning of land use and transport. The Corridor of Henares (Madrid) has been chosen as a case study, representing the spatial evolution of five urban land uses in three disruptive scenarios for 2050. The present research aims to determine which explanatory factors influenced the process of spatialization of the five uses that was projected in a previous mapping workshop. In this way, the aim is to provide more precise information about the driving factors of use changes in each scenario, which could later be applied to new spatial models of urban simulation. Thus, given the ubiquitous nature of urbanization processes, Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression (GWLR) was used as it enables a spatial analysis of the relationships between the explanatory factors that global models do not allow to study. The outcomes showed coincidences between the most significant factors of the model and the scenario narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on stability and change in modes of environmental governance often remain implicit regarding the conceptualisation, nature and causes of stability and change. Moreover, they are selective in the addressed explanatory factors. Theorising of stability and change in modes of environmental governance could be brought to the next level by enhancing the comparability and alignment of explanatory studies. This paper aims to contribute to this effort using insights regarding the definition and explanation of change processes gained in the policy and political sciences. Based on these insights, we provide a systematic approach for conceptualising “stability” and “change” in modes of governance and introduce six categories of explanatory factors: physical circumstances, infrastructures, institutional settings, discourse, characteristics of agency and shock events. The case of Dutch flood risk governance shows the usefulness of the proposed approach. We conclude by reflecting on the approach's potential for providing richer and more nuanced explanations.

Effective and thorough credit-risk management is a key factor for lending institutions, as significant financial losses can arise from the borrowers' default. Consequently, machine learning methods can measure and analyze credit risk objectively when at the same time they face increasingly attention. This study analyzes default payment data from a credit cards' portfolio containing some 30,000 clients from Taiwan with twenty-three attributes and with no missing information. We compare prediction accuracy of seven classification methods used, i.e. KNN, Logistic Regression, Naïve Bayes, Decision Trees, Random Forest, SVC, and Linear SVC. The results indicate that only few out of most of the typical variables used can adequately analyze default characteristics in terms of lending decisions. The results provide effective feedback to credit evaluators, lending institutions and business analysts for in-depth analysis. Also, they mention to the importance of the precautionary borrowing techniques to be used to better understand credit-card borrowers' behavior, along with specific accounting, historical and demographical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child-to-parent violence is a phenomenon with a fairly high prevalence rate and negative consequences at an individual, family and social level. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the theoretical frameworks and explanatory factors for this phenomenon. The review comprised studies written in English and Spanish since the year 2000, from the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC and Dialnet Plus. A total of 57 relevant studies were identified. The recurrent explanatory factors were: single parenthood, cohesion, stress, family discipline, history of violence, problems at school, clinical disorders and violent peer relationships. The concurrence of school, sibling and dating violence was particularly noteworthy. The theoretical frameworks referred to can be grouped into psychological, communicational, criminological, sociological and broader integrative models (Ecosystemic, Phenomenological and Constructivist). No data was found on interaction patterns, coping strategies or social perceptions of CPV which may influence families immersed in these kinds of situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to identify explanatory factors of the economic efficiency of the Brazilian capital cities in the allocation of the expenditure with actions and public health services, from 2006 to 2015. In thus, the research used the regression analysis by Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), with panel data and random effects, taking as sample 25 Brazilian capitals cities. It was used as a dependent variable the efficiency scores calculated in the research of Silva, Gomes, Barbosa e Lucena (2018) and as explanatory variables, exogenous factors over which managers do not have control in short time. The results of the research show that three variables were significant: the per capita gross domestic product, the rate of urbanization and the percentage of the population benefited by the provision of potable water. Therefore, it can be concluded that the efficiency of health expenditure is not only the result of institutional factors management, but also requires investments in other areas, such as income generation and distribution, water supply and urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to not only establish the prevalence of the recently described Spirocerca vulpis parasite in the wild-life cycle of carnivores in western Spain but to also elaborate a model to explain the risk of infestation based on 16 topo-climatic and habitat variables. During the period from June 2016 to November 2017, 1644 carcasses of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and another 105 wild mammals, legally hunted or killed in car accidents, were analyzed. Parasitic nodules of Spirocerca were found in 6% of the foxes, and the molecular analyses established a homology of our samples with the species S. vulpis. There were no differences in the occurrence of the infestation between sexes, but there were differences in terms of age, such that infestation was proportionally more frequent among young individuals. In terms of temporality, a higher percentage of positive cases was observed during the late-autumn and winter months, especially between December and February. This study provides new data on the factors that predispose S. vulpis infection in the red fox. Model results indicate that a spatial pattern exists in the occurrence and prevalence of this species in the studied area (higher probabilities to the west), and that this pattern seems to mainly be associated with topo-climatic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined "push and pull" factors associated with the decision to become home care workers among job-seekers in Israel. Participants completed measures of ageism, anxiety about aging, attitudes toward the home care profession, and personal relationship with older adults. Of 1,492 participants, 32.0% accepted the offer to become home care workers and were no longer in the job market, 36.7% accepted the offer but worked in the past, and 31.2% refused the offer. Compared to participants currently employed, the odds of being employed in the past were higher for participants who were younger, with poorer health and higher ageism; the odds of refusal were higher for males, Arabs, younger participants, with more education, lower ageism, and fewer personal relationship with older adults. The findings have implications for practice with job-seekers and for retaining current home care workers in the field. This may assist in expanding the home care workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the principal objective of outsourcing was to reduce costs, organizations are now using this process to focus, their financial and managerial resources, on value-creating activities and improving the logistics performance for the company adopting it. Based on this observation, the objective of this paper is to wonder about the decision of logistics outsourcing: what factors explain why a company will choose to outsource its logistics activity rather than maintaining it internally knowing that other companies show a cautious position compared to the idea of outsourcing? And what contributions does each company hope to receive in return for the decision to outsource its logistics?

The concept of success has been investigated before, primarily with an emphasis on explanatory factors among highly successful individuals. Voices of individuals with any form of disability are generally missing from this discourse. This qualitative study examined definitions of success as well as the factors that promote it amongst graduates with learning disabilities from a university faculty of education, thereby inviting an inclusive dialog around a heretofore socially and educationally exclusive topic. A participatory action framework was chosen allowing the participants to take an active role in the enquiry. This approach was a natural offshoot of the community of learners that the graduates had participated in during their studies. While success was defined as a multifaceted concept accounted for by multiple factors, many of the findings aligned with those reported in previous studies. However, several unique themes emerged; success as a relative concept, 'paying it forward,' and the disability as a driving force. Instances of overlap between definitions and factors emphasised inherent connections between beliefs and actions. Practical implications for support services for students with special needs, in higher education, are considered in light of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For water companies, benchmarking their performance relative to other companies can be an effective way to identify the scope for efficiency gains to be made through infrastructure investment and operational improvements. However, a key limitation to benchmarking is the confounding effect of exogenous factors, which may not be factored in to benchmarking methodologies. The purpose of this study was to provide an unbiased comparison of efficiency across a sample of water and sewage companies, accounting for important exogenous factors. Bias-corrected economic and environmental efficiency estimates with explanatory factors were evaluated for a sample of 13 water and sewage companies in the UK and Ireland, using a double-bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. Bias correction for economic and environmental efficiency changed the rankings of nine and eight companies, respectively. On average, companies could reduce economic inputs by 19% and carbon outputs by 16% if they performed at the efficiency frontier. Variables explaining efficiency were: source of water, leakage rate, per capita consumption and population density. Population density showed statistical significance with both economic (p-value 0.002) and environmental (p-value 0.001) efficiency. Consequently, a rurality factor was defined for each company's operational area, which was then regressed against normalised water company performance data. More rural water companies spend more per property (R2 of 0.633), in part reflecting a larger number of smaller sewage treatment works serving rural populations (R2 of 0.823). These findings provide new insight into methods for benchmarking, and factors affecting, water company efficiency, pertinent for both regulators and water companies. • Economic and environmental inputs could reduce by 19.4% and 15.8%. • Bias correction changed the rankings of over 65% of companies. • Population density and surface water % significantly linked to higher efficiencies. • Rurality has relationship with increased spending (R2 of 0.63). • No. of sewage treatment works linked to rurality/spending relationship (R2 of 0.82). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study objective is to determine the explanatory factors' joint interaction related to the decision-maker and the organizational environment in the asymmetry of costs. Through confirmatory factor analysis and empirical regression model, the results suggest that the two clusters positively affect, in similar magnitudes, the asymmetry of general and administrative expenses, which proves the existence of the explanatory factors effects that overlap in the sticky behavior explanation and corroborate the contemporary view on cost management caused by the managers' deliberate decision. Still, through exploratory analysis, 6 constructs were revealed that summarize the interactions of the cost asymmetry explanatory factors. Finally, it is concluded that this research contributes to the understanding of cost behavior based on a broader view, and not isolated in relation to explanatory factors, by providing subsidies for new theories and practical models of profit forecasting to analysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, both environmental and anthropogenic variables into GWLR model are incorporated to study the distribution of grassland fire occurrence in Hulunbuir over the period 2001-2015. The results show that mean annual temperature, elevation, distance to nearest settlement, distance to nearest road, and distance to nearest agricultural area are correlated with grassland fire occurrence, while these explanatory factors are not spatially stationary in the whole study area. Thus, the consideration of non-stationarity in fire modeling is important to better understand fire regimes and to more efficiently prioritize critical area to fire occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research adds to the assessment of the causal relationships between residential electricity consumption and its explanatory factors. Johansen cointegration, autoregressive distributed lag model, the vector error correction model, and Wald causality tests are used. In both the short and long run, a unidirectional causality towards electricity consumption is identified. The sustainable development of the electricity sector in Cameroon, as defined by the national development strategy for 2030 and the long-term electricity sector development plan for 2030, requires an increase in GDP per capita, the adoption of a compact less energy-intensive urban model, the strengthening of control over the evolution of the number of subscribers on the distribution networks, and the reduction of CO2 emissions from thermal electricity generation. • Residential electricity consumption and its associated explanatory factors are analysed. • Unidirectional causality towards electricity consumption is highlighted. • The long run relationship between explanatory factors and electricity consumption is investigated using ARDL and VECM. • Mastering changes in specific explanatory factors is required for long run sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]