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Background: Both ambient air pollution and lifestyle factors contribute to the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but previous studies usually focused on single-factor associations. We aimed to assess the joint associations of ambient air pollution and lifestyle with the NAFLD risk and investigate whether lifestyle modifies the association of air pollution with NAFLD risk. Methods: A total of 417,025 participants from the UK Biobank were included in this study. Annual average concentrations of NO2, NOx, PM2.5, PM10, and PM2.5−10 were estimated. A composite lifestyle score was determined based on physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking status, dietary patterns, sedentary time, and sleep duration. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), as well as the population attributable fraction (PAF). Potential additive interactions of air pollution with lifestyle were also examined by the relative excess risk due to the interaction (RERI) and the attributable proportion due to the interaction (AP). Results: 4752 (1.14%) incident NAFLD events were recorded. Long-term exposure to air pollutants and an unhealthy lifestyle were significantly associated with the increased risk of incident NAFLD. Lifestyle was the primary factor of incident NAFLD, with a PAF of 37.18% (95% CI: 29.67%, 44.69%). In addition, a significant additive interaction between air pollution and lifestyle for NAFLD risk was observed (RERI: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.09–0.63). Conclusions: Long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and poor lifestyle were jointly associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to conduct a pest categorisation of Coniella castaneicola (Ellis & Everh) Sutton, following commodity risk assessments of Acer campestre, A. palmatum, A. platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, Quercus petraea and Q. robur plants from the UK, in which C. castaneicola was identified as a pest of possible concern to the EU. When first described, Coniella castaneicola was a clearly defined fungus of the family Schizoparmaceae, but due to lack of a curated type‐derived DNA sequence, current identification based only on DNA sequence is uncertain and taxa previously reported to be this fungus based on molecular identification must be confirmed. The uncertainty on the reported identification of this species translates into uncertainty on all the sections of this categorisation. The fungus has been reported on several plant species associated with leaf spots, leaf blights and fruit rots, and as an endophyte in asymptomatic plants. The species is reported from North and South America, Africa, Asia, non‐EU Europe and Oceania. Coniella castaneicola is not known to occur in the EU. However, there is a key uncertainty on its presence and geographical distribution worldwide and in the EU due to its endophytic nature, the lack of systematic surveys and possible misidentifications. Coniella castaneicola is not included in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 and there are no interceptions in the EU. Plants for planting, fresh fruits and soil and other growing media associated with infected plant debris are the main pathways for its entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability in parts of the EU are favourable for the establishment and spread of the fungus. Based on the scarce information available, the introduction and spread of C. castaneicola in the EU is not expected to cause substantial impacts, with a key uncertainty. Phytosanitary measures are available to prevent its introduction and spread in the EU. Because of lack of documented impacts, Coniella castaneicola does not satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder in western countries. Although the etiology of NAFLD is unknown, insulin resistance is a key mechanism of lipid deposition in hepatocytes leading to steatosis and potentially steatohepatitis in patients with diabetes. These factors accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods and Results. In this prospective cohort study, 1197 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were divided into two groups (360 patients with NAFLD and 847 without NAFLD) and were followed for a median of 5 years for the incidence of CVD. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between NAFLD, liver enzyme level, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and the incidence risk of CVD and its subgroups (i.e., myocardial infarction, chronic heart disease, coronary artery bypass grafting, and percutaneous coronary intervention). There was a significant positive association between CVD incidence and NAFLD (HR = 1.488, 95% CI = 1.041–2.124, p value = 0.029). Although patients with NAFLD had higher levels of ALT and AST levels (p value = <0.001), there was no significant association between liver enzymes and the incidence risk of CVD when adjusted for different variables. Furthermore, NAFLD was associated with NAFLD APRI Q (2), APRI Q (3), and APRIQ (4) (1.365 (1.046–1.781), 1.623 (1.234–2.135), and 3.373 (2.509–4.536)), respectively. Conclusion. NAFLD increased the incidence risk of CVD in T2D. However, there was no association between liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALK‐P, and GGT) and a higher incidence risk of CVD in T2D when adjusted for confounding variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a term that entails a broad spectrum of conditions that vary in severity. Its development is influenced by multiple factors such as environment, microbiome, comorbidities, and genetic factors. MASLD is closely related to metabolic syndrome as it is caused by an alteration in the metabolism of fatty acids due to the accumulation of lipids because of an imbalance between its absorption and elimination in the liver. Its progression to fibrosis is due to a constant flow of fatty acids through the mitochondria and the inability of the liver to slow down this metabolic load, which generates oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, triggering cell death. The development and progression of MASLD are closely related to unhealthy lifestyle habits, and nutritional epigenetic and genetic mechanisms have also been implicated. Currently, lifestyle modification is the first-line treatment for MASLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; weight loss of ≥10% produces resolution of steatohepatitis and fibrosis regression. In many patients, body weight reduction cannot be achieved; therefore, pharmacological treatment should be offered in particular populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), focusing on key factors influencing its pathogenesis and emerging therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the growing prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, emphasizing their multifactorial nature. The manuscript identifies various contributors to NAFLD development, including genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, while examining the intricate interplay between these factors and their impact on hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Genetic predisposition, dietary fat intake, and excessive fructose consumption are discussed as significant contributors to NAFLD progression. The article emphasizes the lack of a single therapeutic approach and underscores the need for combination strategies. Lifestyle interventions, particularly weight loss through diet and exercise, remain crucial, while pharmacological options like GLP-1 receptor agonists, obeticholic acid, lanifibranor, and resmetirom show promise but require further validation. Bariatric surgery and emerging endoscopic procedures offer potential in eligible patients. In sum, this article underscores the complexity of NAFLD and NASH, addresses key factors influencing pathogenesis, and discusses emerging therapies advocating for a multifaceted approach to this increasingly prevalent and clinically relevant condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two perspectives on the analysis of economic growth have developed within the input–output framework. On the one hand, Leontief proposed a dynamic model, where investment supplies the necessary capital stock needed to produce future output. On the other hand, Structural Decomposition Analysis assumes that changes in the output level are dependent on the behaviour of the technological and final demand components. This paper examines the differences between input–output tables of different periods to explain growth, as well as the contribution of the final demand components in the phenomenon. Further, the article provides examples based on the coefficient tables of five OECD economies, between 1995 and 2011, to illustrate the relevance of the method proposed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently represents one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. Early diagnosis and disease staging is crucial, since it is mainly asymptomatic, but can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or cirrhosis or even lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Over time, efforts have been put into developing noninvasive diagnostic and staging methods in order to replace the use of a liver biopsy. The noninvasive methods used include imaging techniques that measure liver stiffness and biological markers, with a focus on serum biomarkers. Due to the impressive complexity of the NAFLD's pathophysiology, biomarkers are able to assay different processes involved, such as apoptosis, fibrogenesis, and inflammation, or even address the genetic background and "omics" technologies. This article reviews not only the currently validated noninvasive methods to investigate NAFLD but also the promising results regarding recently discovered biomarkers, including biomarker panels and the combination of the currently validated evaluation methods and serum markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the digital economy's impact on rural household consumption upgrading. Existing studies remain mainly at the level of rural consumption scale and rarely address the consumption structure. The specific impact of the development of the digital economy on rural consumption upgrading and its mechanisms of action deserves in-depth study and consideration. We analyzed the related content using the fixed-effect model, the instrumental variable method (IV), the mediation effect model, and three-year panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). This study found that, at the scale level, the digital economy contributes to expanding rural household consumption. At the structural level, the digital economy significantly increases the share of enjoyment-oriented household consumption but has no significant effect on development-oriented consumption. Income is an important transmission mechanism for the digital economy to improve rural household consumption. Besides, the impact of the digital economy on the upgrading of rural consumption varies according to income level and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Several studies have identified that three SAMM50 polymorphisms (rs2073082, rs738491, rs3761472) are associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the clinical significance of the SAMM50 SNP in relation to NAFLD remains largely unknown. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study and SNP–SNP interaction analysis to further elucidate the effect of the SAMM50 SNP on the progression of NAFLD in the elderly. Methods: A total of 1053 patients over the age of 65 years were recruited. Liver fat and fibrosis were detected by abdominal ultrasound or FibroScan, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted and then genotyped by Fluidigm 96.96 Dynamic Array. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between NAFLD and SNP. SNP–SNP interactions were analyzed using generalized multivariate dimensionality reduction (GMDR). Results: The risk of NAFLD was substantially higher in people who carried SAMM50-rs2073082 G and -rs738491 T alleles (OR, 1.962; 95% CI, 1.448–2.659; p < 0.001; OR, 1.532; 95% CI, 1.246–1.884; p = 0.021, respectively) compared to noncarriers. Carriers of the rs738491 T and rs3761472 G alleles in the cohort showed a significant increase in liver stiffness measurements (LSM). The combination of the three SNPs showed the highest predictive power for NAFLD. The rs2073082 G allele, rs738491 T allele and rs3761472 G carriers had a two-fold higher risk of NAFLD compared to noncarriers. Conclusions: Our research has demonstrated a strong correlation between the genetic polymorphism of SAMM50 and NAFLD in the elderly, which will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of age and genetics on this condition. Additionally, this study provides a potential predictive model for the early clinical warning of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is a chronic liver disorder associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism. The disease is prevalent worldwide, particularly closely linked with metabolic syndromes such as obesity and diabetes. Magnetic Resonance Proton Density Fat Fraction (MRI-PDFF), serving as a non-invasive and highly quantitative imaging assessment tool, holds promising applications in the diagnosis and research of MASLD. This paper aims to comprehensively review and summarize the applications and research progress of MRI-PDFF technology in MASLD, analyze its strengths and challenges, and anticipate its future developments in clinical practice., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This paper shows that the industrial origins of productivity growth in Czechia, Hungary, and Slovenia (CEE-3) and Russia before 2008 were similar and driven by manufacturing industries. The contribution of manufacturing industries to multifactor productivity (MFP) growth is substantial. In CEE-3, it exceeded market services. The contribution of labor reallocation to labor productivity growth was modest and did not surpass one quarter of the aggregate labor productivity growth. Finally, industries demonstrate a strong beta-convergence of MFP. The speed of convergence is higher in manufacturing industries than in market services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most widespread chronic liver disease worldwide, confers a significant burden on health systems and leads to increased mortality and morbidity through several extrahepatic complications. NAFLD comprises a broad spectrum of liver-related disorders, including steatosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It affects almost 30% of adults in the general population and up to 70% of people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), sharing common pathogenetic pathways with the latter. In addition, NAFLD is closely related to obesity, which acts in synergy with other predisposing conditions, including alcohol consumption, provoking progressive and insidious liver damage. Among the most potent risk factors for accelerating the progression of NAFLD to fibrosis or cirrhosis, diabetes stands out. Despite the rapid rise in NAFLD rates, identifying the optimal treatment remains a challenge. Interestingly, NAFLD amelioration or remission appears to be associated with a lower risk of T2DM, indicating that liver-centric therapies could reduce the risk of developing T2DM and vice versa. Consequently, assessing NAFLD requires a multidisciplinary approach to identify and manage this multisystemic clinical entity early. With the continuously emerging new evidence, innovative therapeutic strategies are being developed for the treatment of NAFLD, prioritizing a combination of lifestyle changes and glucose-lowering medications. Based on recent evidence, this review scrutinizes all practical and sustainable interventions to achieve a resolution of NAFLD through a multimodal approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), currently referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), affects approximately 38% of the world's population, yet no pharmacological therapies have been approved for treatment. We conducted a traditional and network meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of drug regimens on NAFLD, and continued to use the old terminology for consistency., Methods: Randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) investigating drug therapy in an adult population diagnosed with NAFLD with or without diabetes mellitus were included. We assessed the quality of RCTs via the Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) tool. When I 2 < 50%, we chose a random-effects model, otherwise a fixed-effects model was selected. A random effects model was applied in the network meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for outcome evaluation. The primary endpoint was the resolution of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) without the worsening of liver fibrosis. Other endpoints included histological findings and metabolic changes. The PROSPERO Registration ID was CRD42023404309., Results: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), vitamin E plus pioglitazone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) analogue had a higher surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA = 76.6, 73.0, 72.0 and 71.6) regarding NASH resolution. Improvement of liver fibrosis stage (≥ 1) was observed with obeticholic acid 25 mg/day (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.35-2.98), lanifibranor 1200 mg/day (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.19-4.82) and silymarin (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.18-17.43) in traditional meta-analysis., Conclusions: The results of the comprehensive analysis suggested hypoglycemic drug therapy as an effective intervention for NAFLD, with or without diabetes mellitus. A prioritized selection of TZDs, vitamin E plus pioglitazone, GLP-1 receptor agonists and FGF-21 analogue may be considered for NASH resolution. Obeticholic acid, lanifibranor and silymarin could be considered for the improvement of liver fibrosis. Each medication was relatively safe compared with placebo., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

A common splice variant in HSD17B13 (rs72613567:TA) was recently found to be associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic liver disease in NAFLD patients and a reduced risk of progression to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognosis of cirrhotic patients harboring this variant. We performed a retrospective analysis on 483 prospectively recruited patients from four different hospitals in Spain, followed-up for at least 5 years. We collected clinical, demographic, and biochemical data, and we performed a genotyping analysis for common variants previously associated with liver disease risk (HSD17B13 rs72613567:TA and PNPLA3 rs738409). Patients homozygous for the TA allele showed a higher MELD score (p = 0.047), Child–Turcotte–Pugh score (p = 0.014), and INR levels (p = 0.046), as well as decreased albumin (p = 0.004) at baseline. After multivariate analysis, patients with the "protective" variant indeed had an increased risk of hepatic decompensation [aHR 2.37 (1.09–5.06); p = 0.029] and liver-related mortality [aHR 2.32 (1.20–4.46); p = 0.012]. Specifically, these patients had an increased risk of developing ascites (Log-R 11.6; p < 0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (Log-R 10.2; p < 0.01), and higher mortality (Log-R 14.1; p < 0.001) at 5 years of follow-up. Interactions with the etiology of the cirrhosis and with the variant rs738409 in PNPLA3 are also described. These findings suggest that the variant rs72613567:TA in HSD17B13 has no protective effect, but indeed increases the risk of decompensation and death in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of fiscal policy on private expenditure using a panel VAR for the sample of 60 developing countries from 1990 to 2020. The VAR panel model framework was used to focus on the disaggregated government expenditures which included the defense, economic and social expenditure. The main findings showed a positive shock effect of defense expenditure which led to crowding out effect on private expenditure and domestic income. Conversely, economic and social expenditure had the crowding in effect on private consumption and domestic income. To detail out the analysis, the composition of government spending was divided into two, namely productive expenditures and non-productive expenditures. Therefore, the findings indicate that defense expenditure is non-productive since it does not stimulate an increase in private spending and national income while economic expenditure and social expenditure are classified as productive expenditure with the ability to increase economic activity. The policy implication suggests that the government should carefully examine and identify the sectors or composition that have greater potential, capacity and relevance in stimulating sustainable economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now considered the main driver and leading cause of chronic liver disease globally. The umbrella term NAFLD describes a range of liver conditions closely related to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia. At the same time, several malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer, are considered to be common causes of death among patients with NAFLD. At first, our review herein aims to investigate the role of NAFLD in developing colorectal neoplasms and adenomatous polyps based on the current literature. We will also explore the connection and the missing links between NAFLD and extrahepatic cancers. Interestingly, any relationship between NAFLD and extrahepatic malignancies could be attributable to several shared metabolic risk factors. Overall, obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and related disorders may increase the risk of developing cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis of NAFLD is essential for preventing the progression of the disease and avoiding its severe complications. In addition, cancer screening and early detection in these patients may improve survival and reduce any delays in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a multisectoral model and the latest data from the OECD Input-Output Tables (IOTs-2021 ed.), this article estimates labour and capital productivities of the 38 OECD member countries. As measures of the productivity of labour, we consider the inverse of the vertically integrated labour coefficients, while Perron–Frobenius theorems are employed so as to measure capital productivity. In this respect, the productive technologies and the intersectoral relationships of each economy are taken into account. We further investigate the relationship between productivity, economic efficiency and living standards. Findings indicate that the impact of capital productivity on higher living standards depends on the evolutionary and institutional background of the economy at hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most severe manifestation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common complication of type 2 diabetes, and may lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Oxidative stress and liver cell damage are the major triggers of the severe hepatic inflammation that characterizes NASH, which is highly correlated with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Regarding drug therapy, research on the role of GLP-1 analogues and DPP4 inhibitors, novel classes of antidiabetic drugs, is growing. In this review, we outline the association between NASH and atherosclerosis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and the effects of incretin-based drugs, especially GLP-1 RAs, for the therapeutic management of these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges affecting children of all ages and ethnicities. Almost 19% of children and adolescents worldwide are overweight or obese, with an upward trend in the last decades. These reports imply an increased risk of fat accumulation in hepatic cells leading to a series of histological hepatic damages gathered under the acronym NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease). Due to the complex dynamics underlying this condition, it has been recently renamed as 'Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)', supporting the hypothesis that hepatic steatosis is a key component of the large group of clinical and laboratory abnormalities of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This review aims to share the latest scientific knowledge on MAFLD in children in an attempt to offer novel insights into the complex dynamics underlying this condition, focusing on the novel molecular aspects. Although there is still no treatment with a proven efficacy for this condition, starting from the molecular basis of the disease, MAFLD's therapeutic landscape is rapidly expanding, and different medications seem to act as modifiers of liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a growing cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide because of the global increases in obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Contrary to the advancements in therapies for viral hepatitis, effective treatments remain unestablished for patients with NAFLD. NAFLD, including NASH, is characterized by steatosis, inflammation, hepatic necrosis, and fibrosis. Despite our understanding of its pathophysiology, there are currently no effective treatments for NAFLD. In this review, we provide an update on the known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of NAFLD and the role of hepatic stellate cells, and summarize the potential therapeutic agents, including natural products, for NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of ezetimibe, Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 inhibitor, on liver fat is not clearly elucidated. Our primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of ezetimibe plus rosuvastatin versus rosuvastatin monotherapy to reduce liver fat using magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods: A randomized controlled, open-label trial of 70 participants with NAFLD confirmed by ultrasound who were assigned to receive either ezetimibe 10 mg plus rosuvastatin 5 mg daily or rosuvastatin 5 mg for up to 24 weeks. The liver fat change was measured as average values in each of nine liver segments by MRI-PDFF. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) was used to measure liver fibrosis change.Results: Combination therapy significantly reduced liver fat compared with monotherapy by MRI-PDFF (mean difference: 3.2%; p = 0.020). There were significant reductions from baseline to study completion by MRI-PDFF for both the combination and monotherapy groups, respectively (18.1 to 12.3%; p < 0.001 and 15.0 to 12.4%; p = 0.003). Individuals with higher body mass index, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and severe liver fibrosis were likely to be good responders to treatment with ezetimibe. MRE-derived change in liver fibrosis was not significantly different (both groups, p > 0.05). Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) by transient elastography was significantly reduced in the combination group (321 to 287 dB/m; p = 0.018), but not in the monotherapy group (323 to 311 dB/m; p = 0.104).Conclusions: Ezetimibe and rosuvastatin were found to be safe to treat participants with NAFLD. Furthermore, ezetimibe combined with rosuvastatin significantly reduced liver fat in this population.Trial Registration: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT03434613 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper was to measure the drivers of the variation in employment and to make a comparative analysis of the results among 43 countries in the period 2000-2014. The methodology of Structural Decomposition Analysis was used to decompose the employment variation into four effects: intensity of labor use, technology, structure of final demand and volume of final demand. The results showed that the increase in labor productivity (negative intensity effect) is the main responsible for the loss of jobs in the economy, a figure close to 50% of the countries' total jobs in the 2000-2014 period of analysis. The creation of jobs occurs mainly due to final demand effects. However, the effect of demand structure tends to be negative for developed countries and positive for developing countries. In developing countries, the effect of final demand structure is relatively more important in creating jobsthan final demand volume effect. The inter-sector relocation of employment, disappearance of professions and increased requirements for qualification lead workers to a continuous learning process, adaptation to new technologies and a probable change of sector of activity in their professional life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillators are used in various fields of Earth and atmospheric sciences in order to study high-energy phenomena occurring from ground to the Earth radiation belts. In this chapter, we explore the different scientific domains where high-energy detection is unavoidable, from the study of Earth radioactivity or human nuclear activities to the measure of the particle environment around our planet, including the recent topics on atmospheric gamma-ray processes during thunderstorms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]