Educating Young Adults about Opioid Misuse: Evidence from a Mass Media Intervention

The US opioid epidemic is a serious public health problem. Rates of opioid misuse and dependence are highest for young adults ages 18–25. Prevention strategies that reduce prescription opioid misuse while decreasing stigma around dependence and treatment are critical components of addressing the epidemic. The Truth About Opioids, a mass media public education campaign, was designed to prevent opioid misuse and dependence among young adults. This study examined the intervention’s effectiveness to shift opioid-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs within targeted designated market areas (DMAs) over time. A sample of young adults (N = 1434) in DMAs with varying levels of media exposure was surveyed at baseline (June–September 2019) and post-intervention (July–August 2020). Logistic regression assessed associations between campaign awareness and campaign-targeted knowledge and attitudes, controlling for baseline variables. Those with any awareness had significantly higher odds of campaign-targeted opioid-related knowledge (versus no awareness) (low awareness OR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.24); high awareness OR = 2.47 (95% CI: 1.58, 3.87)). Those with campaign awareness were also more likely to report lower levels of opioid-related stigma and higher intentions to share information and talk to a friend about the epidemic. Mass media public education campaigns can help influence young adults’ opioid-related knowledge and attitudes.

How to measure the territorial economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in contexts with scarce regional data?

In this paper we propose an index to approximate the territorial economic impact of the COVID–19 pandemic in contexts with scarce or outdated regional data, which is often the case in developing countries. This index is based on data that are usually available in most countries: a) the sectoral productive structure of the regions, b) the operational level of each sector, c) the mobility of workers in each region, and d) the possibility of remote work among sectors. The empirical application for Argentina describes the impact of the pandemic on regional production during the second and third quarters of 2020, both for the provinces and labor market areas. Our results show that the regional impact of COVID–19 on private economic activity was highly heterogeneous between and within provinces. The proposed index is also highly correlated with sporadic official data coming from national agencies, while it has a wider geographical and temporal scope, especially in terms of labor market areas.

Fungi Causing Post-Harvest Spoilage Carica papaya Linn Fruits of Two Selected Markets in Kano State, Nigeria

This study was carried out for four month (September, 2015 to December, 2015) to find the fungal species associated with post-harvest spoilage of pawpaw fruits sales at Na’ibawa and Wudil Markets all in Kano State. A total of five strains of fungi were isolated and identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavuus, Rhizophus stolonifer, Yeast, and Fusarium. Pathogenicity test of each fungal isolate showed that all fungi were capable of causing rotting of the fruit and most severe rotting was caused by Aspergillus niger and Yeast with 8(29.63%) Respectively at Na’ibawa market and 10(34.48%) and 9(31.03%) at Wudil market followed by Rhizophus with 7(25.93%) and 5 (17.25%) while Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium produced the least rotting of the fruit. The difference in the fungal spoilage of Carica papaya between the two market areas Na’ibawa and Wudil markets was statistically significant (p≥0.05). From the result of this study, it is clearly indicated that the spoilage of pawpaw fruits in the two markets was due to fungal attack.

Effects of Global Budget Payments on Vulnerable Medicare Subpopulations in Maryland

There is little evidence regarding population equity in alternative payment models (APMs). We aimed to determine whether one such APM, the Maryland All-Payer Model (MDAPM), had differential effects on subpopulations of vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries. We utilized Medicare fee-for-service claims for beneficiaries living in Maryland and 48 comparison hospital market areas between 2011 and 2018. We used doubly robust difference-in-difference-in-differences regression models to estimate the differential effects of MDAPM on Medicare beneficiaries by dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, disability as original reason for Medicare entitlement, presence of multiple chronic conditions (MCC), race, and rural residency status. Dual, disabled, and beneficiaries with MCC had greater reductions in expenditures and utilization than their counterparts. Hospitals may have prioritized high-cost, high-need patients as they changed their care delivery practices. The percentage of hospital discharges with 14-day follow-up was significantly lower for disadvantaged subpopulations, including duals, disabled, and non-White.

Segmentation of art market in the fine art’ marketing

The purpose of the article. Research and analysis of marketing technology algorithms by means of market segmentation in fine arts marketing. The methodology of the study is to apply comparative, empirical, and theoretical methods. This methodological approach allows us to analyze the processes of segmentation of the fine arts market with the subsequent use of research results in the marketing processes of promoting works of art from artist to consumer. The scientific novelty consists in expanding the notions about the technology of segmentation of the art market. The article analyzes the algorithms of marketing technologies in the segmentation of the fine arts market. It should be noted that in the marketing of fine arts the technologies of segmentation of art markets and technologies of the positioning of works of art are purposefully and productively used. The segmentation of art markets enables to highly efficient identify and systematize groups of consumers and admirers of works of fine art in accordance with their goals and motivations. The main purpose of the article: analysis of the specifics of the implementation of classical marketing technologies (marketing researches, segmentation of art markets) in the marketing of fine arts. Conclusions. The analysis of the problems of using traditional marketing technologies in art marketing carried out in the article gives grounds to state that such technologies are used in the art market, but they differ significantly from other market areas. It should be noted that the technology of market segmentation is actively used in the art market in works of museums, galleries, auctions. The technology of market segmentation allows regulating the processes of appearance and satisfaction of demand for works of art and their implementation.

Increasing Family Awareness of COVID-19 Transmission In Vulnerable Communities

COVID-19 cases in Indonesia are still quite high. However, community mobility continues to increase. If in a family there is a vulnerable and / or comorbid age group, it will certainly be increasingly threatened when a productive family member leaves the house but is negligent in implementing health protocols. People who live in market areas, of course, are in direct contact with high economic activities and of course also indicate high mobility. The purpose of this activity is to increase family awareness of COVID-19 transmission in vulnerable communities with comorbidities. The target audience for this community service activity is 31 people who live in the Jakabaring Main Market area of ​​Palembang City. This community service activity results in an increase in knowledge about the importance of health protocols that are carried out in a disciplined and correct manner. This health protocol is carried out in order to protect each other starting from the family and for the community, especially for vulnerable communities. Apart from home visiting activities, the construction of hand washing facilities will also be used by the surrounding community and at the same time become a symbol to remind that washing hands with soap in running water is not only an obligation of the health protocol for preventing COVID-19 but will also save many lives from various threats of other infectious diseases.

Exploring the Competitive Dimension of Omnichannel Retailing

We use a proprietary data set from a national department store chain and evaluate the competitive impact of the launch of a buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store service by a major competitor. The transaction-level data set includes nearly 50 million transactions (purchase and return) across both online and brick-and-mortar channels. Although the strategy of buying online and picking up in a store is primarily designed to attract online shoppers into stores, our findings show that after the competitor’s launch, both online and store sales at the focal department store chain are negatively affected. Our results indicate a differential competitive threat that is predicated on the value proposition that the buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store service poses for customers in each channel. Online shoppers are drawn to the competitor through an additional level of shopping assurance, along with the free and fast delivery that the buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store service provides to customers. For store shoppers, the service facilitates research-online, buy-offline behavior, as well as product availability information that eliminates wasted trips to the store. Distance to market affects the intensity of impact. For the online channel, the estimated loss in sales averages 4.7% across the demographic market areas that are served and ranges between 0.4% and 18.5%. For stores, the average estimated loss in sales is 1.8% and ranges between 0.1% and 3.7%. This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.

Analysis of Solid Waste Composition and Management in Selected Markets and Residential Areas of Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna

Samples of Municipal solid waste from dumps situated within four (4) markets located at Kawo, Monday, Sabo Tasha and Mando respectively, and two (2) residential areas located at Kabala Costain and Anguwan Sanusi in Kaduna metropolis were collected and segregated into various classifiable bulks; Organic, Inorganic and bacteria flora of the dumps were compared between the two categories of land users. The results obtained showed that there was a wide variation in the composition of waste in these two land use areas, organic waste made up of plant matters (Leaves, Grasses, Stumps food residues, Vegetables and ash) in this study has the highest percentage composition (65%) in market areas and 35.6% in residential areas, for inorganic waste consisting of glass, papers, metal and plastics account for 35% in market areas. Bacteria isolates from the dumps with their respective percentage prevalence were: E. coli (88.90%), Staphylococcus aureus (81.7%), Salmonella (47.3%), Klebsiella sp (44.1%), Shigella sp (46.6%) and Proteus Sp (35.2%) in market areas while in residential area the bacteria isolates 7prevalence showed: (57.5%), (44.2%),(28.1%),(25.2%),(17.8%) and (14.4%) respectively.

Modern conditions of functioning of construction companies of Odessa

The purpose of the study conducted in the article is to consider current trends in the operation and development of construction companies in Odessa. Groups of developers in this market, areas of their specialization are analyzed. The main attention is paid to the competitive advantages of industry leaders. Factors such as the level of costs, purchase prices for building materials, credit, quality of construction, the availability of a strategic planning system, access to the most liquid areas of construction, high advertising costs, the company’s image among consumers. The high level of dependence of construction companies on environmental factors requires special attention to the risks associated with changes in the external business environment, which can significantly affect the change in the structure of the construction industry in the long run.