Efficient use of transboundary rivers under climate change requires periodic adaptation of their governing regime to the hydrological realities of the basin. Applying a short-term time horizon to an agreement on water allocation can make it easier for the riparian states to update the terms of their cooperation periodically, and thus, adapt them to changes in water availability resulting from climate change. However, agreements with a pre-agreed termination date can only increase the efficiency of water use if they lead to a stable cooperation. In this paper, I analyze how riparian states' previous knowledge of the termination date of a water allocation agreement affects the agreement's stability. The results show that when riparian states are aware of the agreement's termination date, there is a higher chance for them to free-ride. However, certain cases may occur in which previous knowledge of the agreement's termination date can contribute to the stability of an agreement by enforcing compliance.
Purpose: Paying attention to the factors affecting the psychological well-being of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is of particular importance, hence the present study investigated the relationship between self-compassion and psychological well-being with the mediating role of resilience. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using an online survey in a sample of 410 PwMS registered with the Guilan MS Society (GMSS) of Iran. The study was conducted in 2021. A demographic questionnaire, Ryff 's Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWB), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Self Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. Results:The model and data were sensibly in agreement. Moreover, bootstrap results showed that all direct path coefficients were significant (t ≥ 1.96). The direct effects of self-compassion and resilience on psychological well-being were significant, with standardized coefficients of 0.69 and 0.21. In addition resilience, with a coefficient of 0.73, was associated with psychological well-being. Furthermore, the indirect effect of self-compassion on psychological well-being with the mediating role of resilience was also confirmed (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions:The administration of GCs may lead to changes in dopaminergic system activity (e.g. D 2 receptors activity), which significantly contribute to the predisposition to depression. Additionally, GCs therapy may cause changes in the activity of microRNAs (e.g. miR-124), which exacerbates symptoms of depression. Searching for specific changes in microRNA expression will provide clinically practical and easily applicable biomarkers of depression risk and new forms of pharmacotherapy in GC-induced depression.
Background and Aim: Most patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) are those with mild injuries (mTBI). However, due to the absence of symptoms in brain imaging until long after the injury, the manifestations of cognitive impairments remain undiagnosed. Therefore, cognitive screening is considered a key measure in these patients. One of the common screening tools for evaluating cognitive impairments is the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) test. The present study aimed to determine the cut-off point, sensitivity, and specificity of the MMSE test in mTBI patients. Methods and Materials/Patients: In this observational and cross-sectional-analytical study, the statistical population included all patients with mTBI who were injured in the 1st half of 2022. The case group included 79 mTBI patients admitted to the trauma, neurosurgery, and intensive care unit (ICU) departments of Poursina Hospital in Rasht City, Iran, in the 1st half of 2022, who had been referred to the same hospital and Velayat specialized clinic for rehabilitation and re-visit, and the control group included 79 normal healthy individuals. Both groups were cognitively evaluated by the MMSE test on two occasions with an average time interval of 2-3 weeks. Results: The results of the discriminant analysis showed a cut-off point of 27 to 28 as the probable point of cognitive impairment. Also, to identify the cognitive impairment in mTBI patients, this test reported low sensitivity of 0.43-0.58 and a moderate specificity of 0.69-0.80 in two tests. Conclusion: In screening for possible mild cognitive impairment in mTBI patients, the MMSE is relatively useful and should not be used solely to replace a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation with diagnostic purposes.
Historically, states have found it useful to regulate their relationship over their shared water resources via treaties. While treaties provide some element of predictability and certainty with regard to the future supplies of water to the riparian states, they also need to incorporate mechanisms that allow flexibility to respond to changes in the quantity of water available for allocation amongst the parties. This requirement is especially relevant when global climate change is causing freshwater resources to shrink. The legal regime of the Guadiana, as an example of a modern legal regime of a transboundary river, includes some provisions that permit the riparian states to accommodate the variability of the Guadiana's streamflow in response to climate change within the water allocation arrangements. The lessons learned from these provisions, which include periodical update of the historical mean precipitation values, updating the flow regime of the rivers and cancelling minimum flow requirements under special circumstances, may contribute to climate-proofing international transboundary agreements within the catchments where climate-change induced water scarcity poses a major threat.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.