Economic Stress, Precariousness and Risk of High Blood Pressure: A Descriptive Survey of Life Models within Households of the Central Region of Cameroon

Context/Objective: High blood pressure (HBP) currently represents the most widespread chronic non-communicable disease in Cameroon. The increase in its prevalence in the country is the result of multiple factors including economic stress imposed by precariousness, poor living conditions, sources of anxiety, anguish, depression and other behavioral disorders. Economic stress is a globalizing concept that integrates into a purely hermeneutic approach, a particular functioning of the nervous system of an individual who faces employment problems and precarious remuneration conditions. The non-satisfaction by an individual of his basic needs due to insufficient financial means can cause him to become irritable, aggressive, and socially and symbolically isolated, thereby increasing the desire to resort to morbid life models such as excessive consumption of narcotics and other psychoactive substances often associated with high blood pressure. The fight against the emergence of BPH is a complex, multifaceted and multifactorial reality that requires taking into account economic stress. The main objective of this survey is to describe the situation of economic stress within the Cameroonian population, which imposes precariousness and life models at risk of high blood pressure. Specifically, we determined the level of household income and the sources of income. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a descriptive aim among five hundred households in the Central Region of Cameroon was conducted. A probabilistic technique called simple randomness was used. The number of households to be surveyed was determined indirectly using the Cochrane formula. Data collection in face-to-face mode using a physical questionnaire took place from July 1 to August 31, 2023, after obtaining ethical clearance from the Regional Health Research Ethics Committee, Human from the Center and an administrative authorization for data collection. Regarding their processing, the data was grouped during processing in Excel sheets. Normality and reliability tests of the collected data were carried out. For this, the Chi-square test was used for data with a qualitative value and that of Kolmogorov-Sminorf for data with a quantitative value. Descriptive analysis was possible using R software version 3.2, SPSS version 25.0, XLSTAT 2016, PAST and EXCEL programs from Microsoft Office 2013. Results: The main results highlight economic stress, with 45.60% of households surveyed earning less than US$154 per month;55% of household heads were women in single-parent families;14% of household heads were unemployed, 22% worked in the private sector and 19% were self-employed. This general economic situation leads to precarious living conditions, thereby increasing the risk of high blood pressure among the Cameroonian population.

Coping as a Mechanism Linking Stressful Life Events and Mental Health Problems in Adolescents

Objective Although stressful life events represent an etiologic factor of mental health problems in adolescents, few studies have been conducted to address mechanisms linking the stress-psychopathology relation. The present study was designed to examine coping as a mediate factor on the relationship between stressful life events and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods The participants were 13 512 students from eight cities of China, who participated in a school-based survey. Data were collected by a questionnaire comprising coping, stressful life events, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. As a model, a series of regression equations were used to examine whether coping mediated the association between stressful life events and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results Each dimension of stressful life events showed significant correlation with anxiety, depression and coping （all P〈0.001）. In the model to analyze mediate effects, all standardized coefficients （β） were significant （all P〈0.01）, indicating marked mediator effects. Furthermore, negative coping might account for more mediate effects than positive coping on this relationship. Conclusion Coping partially mediated the relationship between stressful life events and mental health during adolescence. This study highlighted an important public health priority for preventive interventions targeting stress-related psychopathology, and for further promoting adolescents＇ mental health.

Study on Strength and Life of Anisotropic Single Crystal Blade - Part I: Crystallographic Constitutive Models and Applications

The single crystal blade is one of the key technologies for improving the performance, durability and reliability of aero-engines and ground gas-turbine engines. However, the anisotropic mechanical properties of the single crystal material makes a great deal of difficulties on the development and the application of the single crystal blade, which is a challenge for the engineering application of the single crystal superalloy and the theoretic bases of the application. Some researches on the strength analysis and the life prediction of the anisotropic single crystal blade were carried out by the authors' research team. They are as follows. The crystallographic constitutive models for the plastic and the creep behaviors and the method of the rupture life prediction were established and verified. The tensile or the creep experiments for DD3 single crystal alloy with different orientations under different temperatures and different tensile rates or under different temperatures and different stress levels were carried out. The experimental data and the anisotropic properties at intermediate and high temperatures revealed by the experiments are significant for the application of the single crystal alloy. In addition, the experimental research for a kind of single crystal blade was also made. As the application of the researches the strength analysis and the life prediction were carried out for the single crystal blade of a certain aero-engine. In this part, the constitutive models and their applications are described, and the experimental research work will be described in part II.

Psychological impact of chronic hepatitis C:Comparison with other stressful life events and chronic diseases

AIM： To examine the psychological impact of chronic hepatitis C （CHC） diagnosis in a large cohort of CHC patients as compared with other stressful life events and chronic diseases carrying a risk of life-threatening complications. METHODS： One hundred and eighty-five outpatients with compensated CHC were asked to self-grade, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale （VAS）, the degree of stress caused by the learning of CHC diagnosis and the perceived severity of their disease. Diagnosis-related stress was compared to four other stressful life events and perceived CHC severity was compared to four other common chronic diseases. RESULTS： Learning of CHC diagnosis was considered a major stressful event （mean ± SD scores： 72±25）, significantly less than death of a loved-one （89±13, P〈0.0001） and divorce （78 ± 23, P〈0.007）, but more than job dismissal （68 ± 30, P〈 0.04） and home removal （26±24, P〈 0.0001）. CHC was considered a severe disease （74± 19）, after AIDS （94±08, P〈 0.001） and cancer （91± 11, P〈 0.001）, but before diabetes （66±23, P〈0.001） and hypertension （62±20, P〈0.001）. Perceived CHC severity was not related to the actual severity of liver disease, assessed according to Metavir fibrosis score. In multivariate analysis, diagnosisrelated stress was related to perceived disease severity （P〈0.001）, trait anxiety （P〈 0.001） and infection through blood transfusion （P〈 0.001）. CONCLUSION： Our results show the considerable psychological and emotional burden that a diagnosis of CHC represents, even in the absence of significant liver disease. They should be taken into account when announcing a diagnosis of CHC in order to reduce its negative effects.

Causation mechanism of coal miners' human errors in the perspective of life events

In order to effectively decrease the safety accidents caused by coal miners’human errors,this paper probes into the causality between human errors and life events,coping,psychological stress,psychological function,physiological function based on life events’vital influence on human errors,establishing causation mechanism model of coal miners’human errors in the perspective of life events by the researching method of structural equation.The research findings show that life events have significantly positive influence on human errors,with a influential effect value of 0.7945 and a influential effect path of‘‘life events—psychological stress—psychological function—physiological function—human errors’’and‘‘life events—psychological stress—physiological function—human errors’’.

Investigation of stressful life events in patients with systemic sclerosis

Objective: To assess the occurrence of stressful life events in the year before the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Methods: A consecutive series of 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (mean age (56.3±11.9) years, mean disease duration (4.3±3.1) years; 32 females and 8 males), including 28 with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma and 12 with limited cutaneous scleroderma, were evaluated. A control group of 40 healthy subjects free of systemic sclerosis also was included. Socioeconomic status was inves- tigated and Paykel's interview for recent life events (a semi-structured research interview covering 64 life events) was conducted. Results: Patients with systemic sclerosis showed higher percentages of lower education (72.5%) and working class (82.5%), and reported more stressful life events (P<0.05), such as exits (P<0.05), undesirable events (P<0.01), and uncontrolled events (P<0.001), when compared with the control. More events that had an objective negative impact (P<0.001) were also reported in systemic sclerosis patients than in the control. These results are in accordance with a multifactorial model of pathogenesis in systemic sclerosis. Conclusion: We reported a strong relationship between stressful life events and the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Our findings are consistent with current understanding of the extensive links of behavioral responses to stress with neurophysiological and biochemical processes.

The effect of life events, personality and coping strategies on depressive of undergraduates

AIM:To study the effect of life events,personality and coping strategies on depression of undergraduates.METHOD:Fifteen hundred students were selected in the three schoolyards of Central South University.Life Events Scale,Coping Strategies Scale,Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ)and Self rating Depressive Scale (SDS) were used to assess all samples.RESULTS:The score of SDS was (42±8).The life events came from relationship of person,stress of study,loss,punishment,health and adaptation,love and family were higher in the SDS group of higher score,which the SDS group of higher score took more negative coping strategies than the normal score.CONCLUSION:The rate of depression was higher in undergraduates,which need more attention on it.More life events, introversive instability personality and negative coping strategies may be the main risk factors that caused depression.

Quasi-periodic events on structured earthquake models

There has been much interest in studying quasi-periodic events on earthquake models.Here we investigate quasiperiodic events in the avalanche time series on structured earthquake models by the analysis of the autocorrelation function and the fast Fourier transform.For random spatial earthquake models, quasi-periodic events are robust and we obtain a simple rule for a period that is proportional to the choice of unit time and the dissipation of the system.Moreover, computer simulations validate this rule for two-dimensional lattice models and cycle graphs, but our simulation results also show that small-world models, scale-free models, and random rule graphs do not have periodic phenomena.Although the periodicity of avalanche does not depend on the criticality of the system or the average degree of the system or the size of the system,there is evidence that it depends on the time series of the average force of the system.

The association between critical life events, sociodemographic data and physical activity in the development of myocardial infarction in smokers and ex-smokers

Background: Psychosocial factors attract interest in investigating the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Design This study aimed to examine the impact of critical life events on the development of myocardial infarction in smokers and ex-smokers. We hypothesized that critical life events increase the risk of the disease. Methods: Data were taken from the Cologne Smoking Study (CoSmoS), a retrospective multicentre case-control study that examines which psychosocial factors may lead to a higher risk for smokers and ex-smokers of suffering from a myocardial infarction. Our sample consisted of n = 278 myocardial infarction participants and control participants. Both groups had a history of smoking. Logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results: The study results of the smoking and ex-smoking participants showed that sociodemographic data like gender and age have an effect on the development of myocardial infarction. Physical activity seems to offer protection aganist myocardial infarction. Final, the unexpected result that the experience of at least one critical life event seems to have a positive effect on health and so lowers the risk of myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Socio-demographic data and physical activity have an effect on the development of myocardial infarction. Participants with experience of critical life events appear to be strengthened after the events and possess adequate resources to protect their health.

Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Female Models

The purpose of the present study was to analyze quality of life (QoL) levels and depressive symptoms in female models in comparison to non-models. The study was conducted in Estacao Saúde Gym, in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The sample of the study was composed of ten runaway and/or commercial female models between the ages of 15 and 25 from Cast One Models agency and eight control adolescent and young adult students from public/private schools and universities, all from Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Quality of life and depressive symptoms of all participants were evaluated. Data were described by mean and standard deviation values. The main results were analyzed by independent t-test for comparison between models and non-models, adopting a significance level (α) of 0.05. No differences were found between the groups in the analyzed variables (p > 0.05). The results of our study, suggest that professional runaway and commercial female models have similar QoL and depressive symptoms when compared to their control counterparts.

Steel Catenary Riser Fatigue Life Prediction Using Linearized Hydrodynamic Models

Steel catenary risers, (SCR) usually installed between seabed wellhead and floating platform are subjected to vortex shedding. These impose direct forces, hence cyclic stresses, and fatigue damage on the SCR. Riser failure has both economic and environmental consequences;hence the design life is usually greater than the field life, which is significantly reduced by vortex induced vibration (VIV). In this study, SCR and metOcean data from a field in Offshore Nigeria were substituted into linearized hydrodynamic models for simulations. The results showed that the hang off and touchdown regions were most susceptible to fatigue failure. Further analysis using Miner-Palm green models revealed that the fatigue life reduced from a design value of 20-years to 17.04-years, shortened by 2.96-years due to VIV. Furthermore, a maximum wave load of 5.154 kN was observed. The wave loads results corroborated with those obtained from finite element Orca Flex software, yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.975.

Threshold autoregression models for forecasting El Nino events

-In this paper, monthly mean SST data in a large area are used. After the spacial average of the data is carried out and the secular monthly means are substracted, a time series (Jan. 1951-Dec. 1985) of SST anomalies of the cold tongue water area in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is obtained. On the basis of the time series, an autoregression model, a self-exciting threshold autoregression model and an open loop autoregression model are developed respectively. The interannual variations are simulated by means of those models. The simulation results show that all the three models have made very good hindcasting for the nine El Nino events since 1951. In order to test the reliability of the open loop threshold model, extrapolated forecast was made for the period of Jan. 1986-Feb. 1987. It can be seen from the forecasting that the model could forecast well the beginning and strengthening stages of the recent El Nino event (1986-1987). Correlation coefficients of the estimations to observations are respectively 0. 84, 0. 88 and 0. 89. It is obvious that all the models work well and the open loop threshold one is the best. So the open loop threshold autoregression model is a useful tool for monitoring the SSTinterannual variation of the cold tongue water area in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean and for estimating the El Nino strength.

Logistic Regression Analysis on the Correlation between Physical Diseases and Life Events and Depression in the Elderly

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the effects of physical diseases and life events on depression among urban elderly people.[Methods]Five hundred urban elderly people in Shiyan City were selected using a convenient sampling method to investigate and diagnose depression using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule and its accompanying computer diagnostic system.The Minimum Data Set(MDS)and related factor survey form were used to investigate physical diseases and life events,and statistical analysis was conducted using methods such as logistic regression analysis and factor analysis.[Results]The prevalence rates of angina,stroke,or partial paralysis,migraine,vision problems,hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism,as well as the number of physical diseases were significantly higher in elderly depression patients than in objects free of depression.Stroke or partial paralysis[OR(95%CI)=6.389(1.684,24.237)],emotional trauma events[OR(95%CI)=1.438(1.069,1.934)]and adverse health and economic events[OR(95%CI)=1.652(1.099,2.483)]were risk factors for late life depression(LLD).[Conclusions]Some physical diseases and life events may affect the onset process of depression in urban elderly people,and various measures need to be taken to reduce the risk of physical diseases and life events on depression.

Relation between Life Events and Intimacy and Relational Satisfaction in Men from 40 Years of Age

The present study consists of verifying the relation between life events mid intimacy and relational satisfaction in men from 40 years of age. The sample consisted of 70 males aged 40 years or older （M= 51.6, SD = 8.1）. In order to obtain the results, all the described life events were analyzed and the intimacy and relational satisfaction questionnaire, ＂Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale＂ （RDAS） was used. It was confirmed that there were significant differences in intimacy and relational satisfaction, comparing the subjects who pointed out very positive life events with the subjects who pointed out very negative life events. Regarding to the first group, there was a greater degree of satisfaction with intimacy, a greater agreement between the couple, a higher participation in joint activities and few disagreements within the relationship. However, the duration of the relationship and partner age are higher in the second group. It was also verified that subjects between 40 and 50 years old presented a higher degree of satisfaction with intimacy, comparing with subjects between 51 and 79 years, although the latter had longer relationships and that partner age was older.

Correlation of icing events with meteorological variables,and two statistical models to discriminate freezing days

In this paper, the characteristics of meteorological variables are statistically correlated with icing events （i.e., glaze and rime） in China, using daily observations of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and weather phenomena from 700 stations in China from 1954 to 2008. The weather conditions most favorable for icing events are investigated and two statistical models are developed to discriminate potential freezing days. Low air temperature, high relative humidity, and low wind speed are shown to be important conditions for occurrence of icing events; also, the favorable daily mean air temperature is shown to have a decreasing trend from north to south in China, while the favorable relative humidity and wind speed varies little across the country. The statistical model developed with the daily mean temperature combined with precipitation, fog, and mist weather phenomena proved to be well able to determine the possible occurrence of freezing days. The accuracy of model outputs is well above 60% for northwestem Yun- nan, Guizhou, northern Guangxi, southern Hunan, and southern Jiangxi, among other regions where icing events are more fre- quent, and the average false alarms are few. Using observations or forecast products of conventional meteorological variables, this model has high performance and is practical and applicable for early warning and monitoring of icing events.

Life Events,Car Transaction,and Usage by Car Type:Longitudinal Data from Japan

Car transaction(increase/decrease/replacement)is an important determinant of car usage and other travel behavior affecting economic and environmental issues.The aim of this paper is to analyze the impacts of life events,change in attitude,and perceived train frequency on car transactions and usage change by car type using two three-year data(2011-2013 and 2012-2014)obtained from a Japanese household panel survey.We identified the statistically significant factors that affect car ownership in cross-sectional data and verified that their signs are the same when using longitudinal data.Fewer factors are found to affect car replacement than affect car ownership level change.Households that replace Kei-cars with normal cars do not increase mileage.

Prediction and Backtracking Models of Life Cycle Cost Based on School Facility Conditions in South Korea

After the introduction of BTL （Build-Transfer-Lease） projects in 2005, most construction projects of school facilities have been implemented in BTL system. However, concern about whether the school facilities can be managed appropriately during the 20 year as operation and management period is increasing. Therefore, the necessity of reference for evaluation standard on operating costs and the establishment of LCC （life cycle costing） prediction models is coming to the fore. In this respect, the goal of this study was to extract the variables for LCC-related models and conduct analyses of the correlations of the variables using statistical analysis tool, in order to establish LCC prediction and backtracking model based on BTL project cases of school facilities. The prediction and backtracking model of LCC will be a key for budget equalization or optimum range as one way of estimating method using LCC by year and school type. In the future, it would provide the accurate reference for analyzing and managing the actual input costs against the plan and evaluating the practical cost for long-term facility management plan as the predictive management.

Impact of cancer diagnosis on life expectancy by area-level socioeconomic groups in New South Wales, Australia: a population-based study

Objective: Improvement in cancer survival over recent decades has not been accompanied by a narrowing of socioeconomic disparities. This study aimed to quantify the loss of life expectancy(LOLE) resulting from a cancer diagnosis and examine disparities in LOLE based on area-level socioeconomic status(SES).Methods: Data were collected for all people between 50 and 89 years of age who were diagnosed with cancer, registered in the NSW Cancer Registry between 2001 and 2019, and underwent mortality follow-up evaluations until December 2020. Flexible parametric survival models were fitted to estimate the LOLE by gender and area-level SES for 12 common cancers.Results: Of 422,680 people with cancer, 24% and 18% lived in the most and least disadvantaged areas, respectively. Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had a significantly greater average LOLE than patients from the least disadvantaged areas for cancers with high survival rates, including prostate [2.9 years(95% CI: 2.5±3.2 years) vs. 1.6 years(95% CI: 1.3±1.9 years)] and breast cancer [1.6 years(95% CI: 1.4±1.8 years) vs. 1.2 years(95% CI: 1.0±1.4 years)]. The highest average LOLE occurred in males residing in the most disadvantaged areas with pancreatic [16.5 years(95% CI: 16.1±16.8 years) vs. 16.2 years(95% CI: 15.7±16.7 years)] and liver cancer [15.5 years(95% CI: 15.0±16.0 years) vs. 14.7 years(95% CI: 14.0±15.5 years)]. Females residing in the least disadvantaged areas with thyroid cancer [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.4±1.4 years) vs. 0.6 years(95% CI: 0.2±1.0 years)] or melanoma [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.8±1.1 years) vs. 0.7 years(95% CI: 0.5±0.8 years)] had the lowest average LOLE.Conclusions: Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had the highest LOLE with SES-based differences greatest for patients diagnosed with cancer at an early stage or cancers with higher survival rates, suggesting the need to prioritise early detection and reduce treatment-related barriers and survivorship challenges to improve life expectancy.

A method for establishing a bearing residual life prediction model for process enhancement equipment based on rotor imbalance response analysis

A rotating packed bed is a typical chemical process enhancement equipment that can strengthen micromixing and mass transfer.During the operation of the rotating packed bed,the nonreactants and products irregularly adhere to the wire mesh packing in the rotor,thus resulting in an imbalance in the vibration of the rotor,which may cause serious damage to the bearing and material leakage.This study proposes a model prediction for estimating the bearing residual life of a rotating packed bed based on rotor imbalance response analysis.This method is used to determine the influence of the mass on the imbalance in the vibration of the rotor on bearing damage.The major influence on rotor vibration was found to be exerted by the imbalanced mass and its distribution radius,as revealed by the results of orthogonal experiments.Through implementing finite element analysis,the imbalance response curve for the rotating packed bed rotor was obtained,and a correlation among rotor imbalance mass,distribution radius of imbalance mass,and bearing residue life was established via data fitting.The predicted value of the bearing life can be used as the reference basis for an early safety warning of a rotating packed bed to effectively avoid accidents.