The association between financial strain and volatility in daily relationship uncertainty: A dyadic investigation

Prior research suggests that financial strain negatively impacts relational outcomes and that fluctuations (i.e., volatility) in daily reports of relationship aspects may be detrimental for relational outcomes. Daily relational uncertainty may also be associated with financial stressors; however, little is known about the association between financial strain and levels of daily relational uncertainty, as well as the volatility in day-to-day relational uncertainty. The current study includes both members of 100 adult different-sex couples (relationship length M = 7.0 years, SD = 7.1) who completed 14 days of daily diaries. We examined whether greater baseline financial strain is associated with higher levels of daily relational uncertainty and greater day-to-day volatility in relational uncertainty among actors and partners. Individuals who reported greater financial strain also reported higher overall levels of daily relationship uncertainty, as well as greater volatility in daily relationship uncertainty. The association between actor financial strain and volatility in daily relationship uncertainty was moderated by gender and marital status, such that financial strain was only associated with greater volatility in daily relationship uncertainty for men (but not for women) and for unmarried (but not married) individuals. Evidence for partner effects were also found, where partners’ higher levels of financial strain was associated with less volatility in actors’ daily relational uncertainty; however, this relationship was moderated by income, gender, and marital status. Individuals with lower income levels (versus high income levels) reported less volatility in their daily relationship uncertainty when their partners reported higher financial strain. Males rather than women reported lower volatility in daily relational uncertainty when their partners reported greater financial strain. In addition, unmarried rather than married individuals reported greater volatility in daily relationship uncertainty when their partners reported higher financial strain. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Employment Structure and the Rise of the Modern Tax System

This paper builds a new microdatabase that covers 100 countries at all income levels and long-run time series in the United States (1870–2010) and Mexico ( 1960–2010) to document how the modern tax system arises over development. I establish a new set of stylized facts, which show that the income tax exemption threshold decreases in the income distribution as a country develops, tracking growth in the employee share of employment that occurs gradually further down the income distribution. Additional evidence supports the interpretation that the rise in third-party covered income through increases in employee share drives expansions of the income tax base over development. (JEL D31, H23, H24, H71, J22, J23, N40)

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Symptoms after Successful Dacryocystorhinostomy for Patients with Lacrimal Passage Obstruction

Purpose To investigate the prevalence of dry eye symptoms after successful dacryocystorhinostomy and explore the potential risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 565 patients with lacrimal passage obstruction (LPO) who underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) total score of 13 or more was regarded as presence of dry eye symptoms. OSDI total score greater than 22 combined with self-reported dry eye was defined as symptomatic dry eye. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to examine the associations between OSDI scores and its potentially predictive factors. Results: Of the 565 patients, 344 completed the questionnaire, among which 101(29.4%) patients presented with dry eye symptoms, including 53(15.4%) mild, 14(4.1%) moderate and 34(9.9%) severe, and 48(14.0%) patients can be defined as symptomatic dry eye. Univariate logistic regression revealed that age, educational levels, income levels, and hypertension were significantly correlated with the presence of dry eye symptoms ( P < 0.05). After multivariate adjustment, lower income levels were found significantly associated with dry eye symptoms ( P < 0.05). Univariate linear regression demonstrated that age, lower educational levels, surgery history, and hypertension were significantly associated with OSDI total score ( P = 0.037, 0.012, 0.022, 0.029 respectively). Multivariate stepwise linear regression manifested that educational levels and the surgery history influenced the OSDI total score mostly ( P = 0.021, 0.036 respectively). Conclusions: Dry eye problem of LPO patients after successful dacryocystorhinostomy cannot be ignored. In the preoperative evaluation, we should pay special attention to the elderly patients with lower educational levels, lower income levels or systemic diseases.

LA COMPOSICIÓN DE LA CAPACIDAD TRIBUTARIA: EVIDENCIA PARA UN PANEL DE PAÍSES

<p>En este documento analizo la relación que existe entre el crecimiento económico, el comercio exterior y la capacidad tributaria. Sostengo que los impuestos no necesariamente distorsionan la eficiencia y que dependen de la actividad económica. Para documentar la hipótesis realizo cuatro modelos panel cointegrados para un grupo de 55 países y su subsecuente división de acuerdo con tres niveles de ingreso para el periodo de 1990-2018. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el crecimiento económico es una condición <em>sine qua non</em> para determinar la capacidad recaudatoria pero no es suficiente en aquellos países con desigualdad económica. Por lo tanto, es necesario estimular el desarrollo económico y promover reformas fiscales progresivas.</p><p> </p><p align="center">THE COMPOSITION OF TAX EFFORT: EVIDENCE FOR A PANEL OF COUNTRIES.</p><p align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>This document analyzes the relationship between economic growth, foreign trade and tax capacity. It is argued that taxes do not distort efficiency and that they depend on economic activity. In order to empirically support our hypothesis, four cointegrated panel models are carried out for a group of 55 countries and their subsequent division according to three income levels for the period 1990-2018. The results obtained show that economic growth is a <em>sine qua non</em> condition for determining tax capacity, but it is not enough in countries plagued with economic inequality. Therefore, it is necessary to stimulate economic development and promote progressive fiscal reforms.</p>

Urban Household Energy Consumption Forecasting Based on Energy Price Impact Mechanism

The energy price influence system is one of the key mechanisms in the study of energy consumption. China’s household energy consumption has obvious regional differences, and rising income levels and urbanisation have changed the willingness and ability of households to make energy consumption choices. Based on the linear price effect of household energy consumption, this paper explores the scenario characteristics of energy prices affecting energy consumption, taking electricity and natural gas consumption as examples. Based on household energy consumption statistics from 2005 to 2018 in 36 major cities across China, the accuracy and change trends of household energy consumption forecasts are investigated through the decision tree-support vector machine (DT-SVR) non-linear forecasting technique. The study shows that the non-linear forecasting technique accurately portrays the predicted trends of changes in total urban household electricity and natural gas consumption. Within the less developed regions of economic development, income levels are still the main constraint on changes in urban household energy consumption, and the stimulating effect of income levels on household energy consumption has not been seen in the process of economic development in these less developed regions. Urbanisation as an important factor in examining household energy consumption, different development patterns and development processes will gradually be reflected in scenario aspects such as the choice of urban household energy consumption and changes in total consumption.

Growth quality and income inequality: cross-country analysis

The article is devoted to the construction and implementation of an econometric model for quantitative assessment of the impact of cross-country, international, and national income inequality on the dynamics and quality of growth of four groups of countries with different levels of development. A substantial analysis of numerous Russian and foreign research that discover the dynamics and quality of growth was carried out. On this basis, we conclude that income inequality is an important characteristic of the quality of growth of both the national and global economies. To study the relationship between inequality and economic growth, the research uses two concepts proposed by the World Bank – cross-country and international inequality. The distinction of this study from all other known works is not in identifying the genesis of the phenomenon of «inequality», but in focusing on the development of concepts of inequality between countries and quantity assessment of their impact on the growth of economies with different income levels (high, above average, below average and low). This development contributes to the expansion of the research landscape that analyses the relationship between economic growth and inequality. The implementation of the constructed model of cross-country regression confirmed the assumption on the negative impact of three types of inequality on countries with different income levels. At that, the degree of their influence for four groups of countries is shown with a different time lag. The statistically significant empirical results are the convincing scientific basis for evidence-based policy while developing an adequate economic policy by national governments, especially in modern conditions

Knowledge of COVID-19 and Health Literacy among Patients Seeking Care in an Emergency Department

Background: As the US continues to experience increases of COVID-19 cases, there is an urgent need to identify ways to improve individuals’ knowledge of COVID-19 to achieve effective prevention and vaccination. The primary objective of the current study was to examine whether the knowledge of COVID-19 was associated with the general health literacy among patients in an emergency department. Methods: A sample of 252 adults was collected in an urban ED. Patients’ knowledge of COVID-19 was measured by the agreement to 10 statements. Health literacy was measured by the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS). Participants were also asked about their primary source of COVID-19 information, sociodemographics, comorbidities and familiarity with the healthcare system at baseline. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results: The average COVID-19 knowledge score was 7.09 (range 0-10) and BHLS score, 11.09 (range 3-15). About 43% obtained the information primarily from TVs, radios, and newspapers and only 8% from scientific sources. The group with the primary source being social media had the lowest average COVID-19 knowledge score of 6.25. The BHLS and COVID-19 knowledge scores were positively correlated in both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Compared to primary source of information being social media, internet sites and searches (p=0.03) and families, relatives, and friends (p=0.02) were associated with higher COVID-19 knowledge scores, controlling for other factors. Education and income levels were statistically significant in both the bivariate and regressions. Conclusions: Patients with better general health literacy had better knowledge of COVID-19. To better prevent further increases in COVID-19 transmission and improve the rate of vaccination, individuals of low educational and income levels should be prioritized in community interventions. Regulations on and/or guard against misinformation presented on social media platforms should be included in any effective interventions to improve individuals’ knowledge of COVID-19.

The Effect of COVID 19 Pandemic on ClinicalPractices and Education in Cukurova University Faculty of Dentistry

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy of Cukurova University Faculty of Dentistry in clinicalmanagement and education during COVID 19 pandemic and report the effects of the coronavirus outbreak that affectedthe whole world. Methods:The number of patients, income and expenditure rates were compared between March-November 2019 andMarch-November 2020. The effect of COVID 19 pandemic on education was evaluated by comparing the preclinical andclinical course methods and assessment-evaluation methods before and during the pandemic period. Comparisons weremade considering the theoretical and the practical training, feedback and student evaluation methods. Results:The number of patients and income levels in March 2020 was approximately 50% of the income in March 2019.A dramatic decrease was observed in the number of patients and income-expense levels in April and May. Althoughnormalization has started by October 2020, clinics have been working with a performance of approximately 40%compared to 2019. Cukurova University Faculty of Dentistry does the online dental training using Microsoft Teams.Practical applications are thought using videos and photographs. Feedback is important in practical training. For thisreason, students are asked to prepare a powerpoint presentation with pictures taken in a pre-determined format andsubmit the presentation through the software. The lecturer gives feedback using the Microsoft Teams program. Onlineexams (multiple choice, structured open ended or oral) are conducted using the same software. Conclusion:Cukurova University, Faculty of Dentistry is affected by COVID 19 pandemic. However, the minimal impactof COVID 19 pandemic has been targeted. Therefore, the effective clinical arrangements and rapid adaptation to thedistance learning was needed. Pandemic gave us a new vision for dental practices which will be used in the postpandemic period and help us reconsider our previous working habits.

Characteristics of Oral Mucosal Lesions and Their Association with Socioeconomic Status and Systemic Health in A Remote Rural Area in China: A Cross-Sectional Study of 146 Cases

Background: Epidemiological data of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are required to develop practical oral care policies. However, limited data are available for rural areas in China. We aimed to estimate the spectrum and prevalence of OMLs and to identify their associated socioeconomic status (SES) and systemic health in a remote rural area in Yunnan, China. Methods: We screened patients for OMLs in an oral medicine clinic in rural Yuannan, China, from August 2020 to February 2021. OMLs were documented. SES, including the highest education level achieved and the previous month’s household income, as well as the patient’s systemic health, including a history of smoking, alcohol use, and chronic disease, were obtained from the Medical History/Health Questionnaire Form and patient medical records. Results: A total of 146 patients were found to have OMLs. The most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer (n = 41, 28.1%), followed by burning mouth syndrome (BMS) (n = 16, 11.0%), viral ulcer (n = 14, 9.6%), and oral lichen planus (OLP) (n = 9, 6.2%). In these patients, the most common chronic diseases were sleep apnea (n = 35, 24.0%), hypertension (n = 23, 15.8%), bronchitis (n = 16, 11.0%), reflux (including gastroesophageal reflux disease) (n = 12, 8.2%), and arthritis (n = 11, 7.5%). On adjusted regression, the patients without chronic diseases had a lower risk of BMS than those with chronic diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.9). Age was an independent protective factor for viral ulcers (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9–1.0). Patients with low-income levels had a lower risk of OLP than those with high-income levels (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05–0.9). Conclusions: In rural Yunnan in China, the most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer, which was followed by BMS, viral ulcer, and OLP. Chronic diseases were associated with BMS. Age was an independent protective factor for oral viral ulcers. A high-income level was associated with the presence of OLP. Oral care policies should be prioritized among patients with aphthous ulcer. Preventive strategy of BMS should be targeted to people with chronic disease for health equalities.