Single port/incision laparoscopic surgery compared with standard three-port laparoscopic surgery for appendicectomy : a randomised controlled trial

PMID: 23111090 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC3543288 Free PMC ArticlePeer reviewedPublisher PD

Environmentalism in the EU-28 context: the impact of governance quality on environmental energy efficiency

Environmental policies are a significant cornerstone of a developed economy, but the question that arises is whether such policies lead to a sustainable growth path. It is clear that the energy sector plays a pivotal role in environmental policies, and although the current literature has focused on examining the link between energy consumption and economic growth through an abundance of studies, it does not explicitly consider the role of institutional or governance quality variables in the process. Both globalization and democracy are important drivers of sustainability, while environmentalism is essential for the objective of gaining a “better world.” Governance quality is expected to be the key, not only for economic purposes but also for the efficiency of environmental policies. To that end, the analysis in this paper explores the link between governance quality and energy efficiency for the EU-28 countries, spanning the period 1995 to 2014. The findings document that there is a nexus between energy efficiency and income they move together: the most efficient countries are in the group with higher GDP per capita. Furthermore, the results show that governance quality is an important driver of energy efficiency and, hence, of environmental policies.University of Granad

The effect of earthquakes on the risk of suicide

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether a traumatic experience such as an earthquake has any effect on the probability of suicide, especially in those who seem psychologically healthy. Prevention and support parameters are evaluated. Method: Two groups of thirty-five people each were compared regarding their probability of committing suicide. One group had experienced an earthquake and the other had not. A Suicide Probability Scale and a questionnaire on the socioeconomic and health status of the groups were used. Results: The total scores of the Suicide Probability Scale show no significant difference between the groups. But there was a significant difference between the two groups in that those with earthquake experience had a dominant feeling of hopelessness. Conclusion: Earthquake experience was not a risk factor in suicidal ideation, especially for those who have no social network disturbance, no loss of life in the family, and no major psychiatric illness. Feeling prepared for the possibility of coming disasters and supporting each other seem to be factors that prevent negative feelings