bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the scope, completeness, and consistency of various drug information resources related to COVID-19 medications in pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Shareef Javedh , Sridhar Sathvik Belagodu , Bhupathyraaj Mullaicharam , Shariff Atiqulla , Thomas Sabin , Salim Karattuthodi Mohammed
Published: April 2023

Background

Drug use in pregnancy and lactation is challenging. It becomes more challenging in pregnant and lactating women with certain critical clinical conditions such as COVID-19, because of inconsistent drug safety data. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the various drug information resources for the scope, completeness, and consistency of the information related to COVID-19 medications in pregnancy and lactation.

Methods

Data related to COVID-19 medications from various drug information resources such as text references, subscription databases, and free online tools were used for the comparison. The congregated data were analyzed for scope, completeness, and consistency.

Results

Scope scores were highest for Portable Electronic Physician Information Database (PEPID), Up-to-date, and drugs.com compared to other resources. The overall completeness scores were higher for Micromedex and drugs.com (p < 0.05 compared to all other resources). The inter-reliability analysis for overall components by Fleiss kappa among all the resources was found to be 'slight' (k < 0.20, p < 0.0001). The information related to the older drugs in most of the resources, provides in-depth details on various components such as pregnancy safety, clinical data related to lactation, the effect of the drug distribution into breast milk, reproductive potential/infertility risk and the pregnancy category/recommendations. However, the information related to these components for newer drugs was superficial and incomplete, with insufficient data and inconclusive evidence, which is a statistically significant observation. The strength of observer agreement for the various COVID-19 medications ranged from poor to fair and moderate for the various recommendation categories studied.

Conclusion

This study reports discrepancies in the information related to pregnancy, lactation, drug level, reproductive risk, and pregnancy recommendations among the resources directing to refer to more than one resource for information about the safe and quality use of medications in this special population.The present study also emphasizes the need for development of comprehensive, evidence-based, and precise information guide that can promote safe and effective drug use in this special population.
Overexpression of DDX49 in prostate cancer is associated with poor prognosis
Authors: Tao Junyue , Ge Qintao , Meng Jialing , Liang Chaozhao , Hao Zongyao , Zhou Jun
Published: April 2023

Background

There is increasing evidence that DEAD-box helicases (DDX) can act either as promoters or suppressors in various cancer types. Nevertheless, the function of DDX49 in prostate cancer (PCa) is unknown. This study reveals the prognostic and predictive value of DDX49 in PCa.

Methods

First, we evaluated the expression of DDX49 between PCa and normal tissues based on TCGA and GEO databases. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to reveal the risk factors for PCa recurrence. A K–M curve was employed to assess the relationship between DDX49 and recurrence-free survival. In vitro, DDX49 expression was evaluated in PCa and normal prostate cell lines. Furthermore, we constructed a shDDX49 lentivirus to knock down the expression of DDX49. Celigo® Image Cytometer and MTT assay were performed to analyse cell proliferation in PC-3 cells. Cell cycle distribution was detected with flow cytometry analysis. Apoptosis affected by the lack of DDX49 was metred with the PathScan® Stress and Apoptosis Signalling Antibody Array Kit.

Results

This study shows a high increase in DDX49 in PCa tissues in comparison with normal tissues and that increased DDX49 indicates a poor prognosis among PCa patients. Meanwhile, DDX49 knockdown suppressed the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells, causing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Stress and apoptosis pathway analysis revealed that the phosphorylation of HSP27, p53, and SAPK/JNK was reduced in the DDX49 knockdown group compared with the control group.

Conclusions

In summary, these results suggest that high expression of DDX49 predicts a poor prognosis among PCa patients. Downregulation of DDX49 can suppress cell proliferation, block the cell cycle, and facilitate cell apoptosis. Therefore, knockdown of DDX49 is a promising novel therapy for treating patients with PCa.
Two clinicians for one patient, is it worth it? Patients’ perspective on receiving treatment from a pair of clinicians, in a psychiatric emergency and crisis unit
Authors: Dedeystère Pobelov Caroline , Weber Orest , Krenz Sonia , Dorogi Yves , Michaud Laurent
Published: April 2023

Background

In the field of psychiatric crisis interventions, treatment is commonly provided by multidisciplinary teams in Western countries. However, empirical data on the processes involved in this type of intervention are lacking, in particular from a patient perspective. Our study aims to gain a better understanding of the patients’ experience of a treatment setting provided by a pair of clinicians in a psychiatric emergency and crisis intervention unit. Patients’ perspective could provide a broader understanding of its advantages (or disadvantages), as well as bring new insight on elements influencing patients’ treatment adherence.

Methods

We conducted 12 interviews with former patients treated by a pair of clinicians. The participants’ experience, explored with semi-structured questions on their views of the treatment setting, was analyzed by means of thematic analysis using an inductive approach.

Results

The majority of participants experienced this setting as advantageous. A broader comprehension of their issues is the benefit most often expressed. A minority experienced seeing two clinicians as disadvantageous (having to talk to several clinicians at a time, change interlocutors, repeat one’s story). Participants attributed joint sessions (with both clinicians) mainly to clinical reasons and separate sessions (with one clinician at a time) mainly to logistical ones.

Conclusions

This qualitative study provides first insights into patients’ experience of a setting including two clinicians providing emergency and crisis psychiatric care. The results show a perceived clinical gain of such a treatment setting for highly in crisis patients. However, further research is needed to evaluate the benefit of this setting, including the indication for joint or separate sessions as the patient’s clinical course evolves.
Evaluation of safety and efficacy of rapamycin-eluting balloon in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: a cohort study
Authors: Xu Guodong , Dong Xiaoli , Tian Yingying , Ma Liang , Han Ning , Yao Wentao , Yin Kuochang , Yin Nan
Published: April 2023

Objective

The safety and efficacy of drug-eluting balloon on the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) remain unclear. Here, we present our observation in a cohort study on the safety and efficacy of rapamycin-eluting balloon for patients with ICAS.

Methods

A total of 80 ICAS patients with stenosis degree of 70–99% were included. All patients were treated with rapamycin-eluting balloon and were followed up for 12 months after operation.

Results

All patients were successfully treated, where the mean stenosis severity reduced from 85.1 ± 7.6 to 6 ± 4.9%. 8 patients experienced immediate post-operational complications. Two patients passed away during the first month of the follow-up period. Recurrent ischemic syndrome and angiographic restenosis only appeared 7 days after operation. During later follow-up period, none of the patients had clinical angiographic restenosis or needed target vessel revascularization.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that intracranial stenting with rapamycin-eluting balloon seems to be safe and effective, although more clinical data are needed to support this notion.
Effect of structural repairs on the load rating and reliability of a prestressed concrete bridge
Authors: Debees Marwan , Luleci Furkan , Catbas F. Necati
Published: April 2023

Prestressed girders often deteriorate over time due to environmental and man-made stressors, lowering the strength and serviceability of bridge structures. Although structural repairs are implemented to improve the load carrying capacity of the structure, the presence of numerous unknowns leads to high uncertainty in estimating the adequacy of repairs. For instance, the cross-section of the remaining strands, material properties, applied external loads, and workmanship assumptions made throughout the repair process introduce ambiguities when estimating the adequacy of the repairs. This study evaluates the efficiency of re-tensioning repairs of prestressed concrete bridge span girders. The repairs include field splicing, re-tensioning, of deteriorated or damaged strands by torquing a splicing coupler. The evaluation in this study considers component, system reliability, and load ratings while accounting for several uncertainties, such as structural repair, material properties, and external loads. This paper introduces an approach to account for prestressing strands damage and repair uncertainties while also accounting for other uncertainties. In this regard, five cases are studied: as-built, repaired, and three varying degrees of damage cases. First, the distribution for structural demand and capacity accounting for uncertainty in loads, material properties, and repair process is defined for each girder in the prestressed concrete bridge span. In doing so, Monte-Carlo simulation is employed to determine the distributions. Accordingly, the limit state function of the girders is defined from the obtained distributions. Then, the component reliability of each AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Type II girder is calculated from the obtained reliability indices based on the determined limit state functions. Finally, a system reliability model of the span is developed from the component reliability of each girder. Some advantages and disadvantages of using component and system reliability index versus load rating in damaged and repaired prestressed concrete bridge girders are also discussed. Several critical conclusions are made regarding the uncertainties in structural repair, material properties and external loads, and their impact on the load rating and the component and system reliability of the prestressed concrete bridge structure girders.
Pre– and Post–Sexual Maturity Liver-specific ERα Knockout Does Not Impact Hepatic Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Fuller Kelly N Z , Allen Julie , Kumari Roshan , Akakpo Jephte Y , Ruebel Meghan , Shankar Kartik , Thyfault John P
Published: April 2023

Compared with males, premenopausal women and female rodents are protected against hepatic steatosis and present with higher functioning mitochondria (greater hepatic mitochondrial respiration and reduced H2O2 emission). Despite evidence that estrogen action mediates female protection against steatosis, mechanisms remain unknown. Here we validated a mouse model with inducible reduction of liver estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) (LERKO) via adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cre. We phenotyped the liver health and mitochondrial function of LERKO mice (n = 10-12 per group) on a short-term high-fat diet (HFD), and then tested whether timing of LERKO induction at 2 timepoints (sexually immature: 4 weeks old [n = 11 per group] vs sexually mature: 8-10 weeks old [n = 8 per group]) would impact HFD-induced outcomes. We opted for an inducible LERKO model due to known estrogen-mediated developmental programming, and we reported both receptor and tissue specificity with our model. Control mice were ERαfl/fl receiving AAV with green fluorescent protein (GFP) only. Results show that there were no differences in body weight/composition or hepatic steatosis in LERKO mice with either short-term (4-week) or chronic (8-week) high-fat feeding. Similarly, LERKO genotype nor timing of LERKO induction (pre vs post sexual maturity) did not alter hepatic mitochondrial O2 and H2O2 flux, coupling, or OXPHOS protein. Transcriptomic analysis showed that hepatic gene expression in LERKO was significantly influenced by developmental stage. Together, these studies suggest that hepatic ERα is not required in female protection against HFD-induced hepatic steatosis nor does it mediate sexual dimorphism in liver mitochondria function.
Cardiac hydatid disease with palpitations as the only presenting complaint: the egg in the nest
Authors: Azari Ali , Bigdelu Leila , Maadarani Ossama , Bitar Zouheir
Published: April 2023

Hydatid disease, also known as cystic echinococcosis, is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It usually invades organs such as the liver and the lungs but can affect any organ. Isolated cardiac involvement is a rare manifestation. We present a case of isolated left ventricle hydatid cyst with negative serological tests, which was treated with surgical removal and confirmed by histopathological examination.
Covid-19 Era in the Coastal Areas: The Cookies Formulation Gonad of Diadema setosum and its Impacts on Malnutrition During Infection
Authors: Salma Wa Ode , Fristiohady Adryan , Binekada I Made Christian , Alifariki La Ode , Haya La Ode Muhammad Yasir
Published: April 2023

Infection with Salmonella typhi bacteria during the COVID-19 era has the potential to worsen malnutrition in children in low- and middle-income nations, particularly around the coast. Recent studies have demonstrated that one of the best strategies for preventing malnutrition is consuming local food sources from the sea, which are easy to acquire, inexpensive, and high in nutrients. In this study, 15 male mice were used as the test subjects. They were split into two groups: the intervention group and the control group, both before and after intraperitoneal injection of Salmonella typhi. The intervention group was given dosages of cookies containing Diadema setosum gonad (0.40 mg/kg of body weight), whereas the control group received only a natural diet. The blood samples were then analyzed to measure their hemoglobin levels using the Sahli haemometer method, and serum albumin concentrations were determined using the bromocresol green method. The results show that the treatment with Diadema setosum gonad cookies had a significant effect on the levels of albumin and hemoglobin (Hb), as well as the body weights of the intervened mice, with a statistically significant increase (p<0.05). Conversely, BALB/c mice in the control group demonstrated a decrease in their initial food intakes, resulting in a significant reduction in body weight, albumin, and hemoglobin (Hb). This finding implies that the cookie formula with Diadema setosum gonad as the principal ingredient has potential benefits in lowering the incidence of malnutrition for children.
The Impact of Formalin on Postharvest Quality, Shelf Life, and Nutritive Properties of Carrot, Papaya, Plum, Apple Plum, and Guava
Authors: Al Reza Md. Sajib , Shuvo Sudipto Das , Rahman Md. Ashiqur , Sultana Rebeka , Bashi Lamyea Afrose , Khalko Mowsumi , Abedin Md Zainul , Bari Luthfunnesa
Published: April 2023

As per the news and articles published in mass media in recent years, the usage of formalin in fruits and vegetables has become a worrisome condition in Bangladesh. In this context, this study was conducted to observe the effect of formalin on postharvest quality, shelf life, and nutritional profile of carrot, papaya, plum, apple plum, and guava. Fruits and vegetables sample were treated with different concentrations of formalin solutions (1%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) in two different modes (dipping and spraying) and stored for seven days. Physical parameters (color, texture, and flavor), weight loss, and shelf life were observed on every alternate day during the study period. Furthermore, 20% formalin-treated samples were used to find out the changes in nutritional profile (moisture, ash, carbohydrate, fat, and protein), pH, and vitamin C content. The study results revealed that different concentrations of formalin and treatment methods (dipping and spraying) did not bring up any positive effect in increasing the shelf-life and physical characteristics of selected fruits and vegetables during storage. Moreover, formalin treatment with higher concentration went in faster deterioration in color, texture, and flavor of samples compared to the control. The weight loss of fruits and vegetables is not dependent on formalin application. Formalin treatment worked negatively on the shelf life of samples. A significant reduction (P<0.05) trend on some nutritional parameters (carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin C) was observed in formalin-treated apple plum and guava when compared with the control. No significant differences in the pulp pH content were seen as a result of formalin treatment. The overall results suggest that formalin is not a useful preservative to improve the post-harvest qualities and shelf-life of carbohydrate-rich fruits and vegetables at any concentration and mode of application and it has also a negative effect on the nutritional properties of fruits and vegetables.
Glycaemic Indices of the Traditional Sago-Based Snack and Staple Food in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Bugam Sal Hazreen , Hashim Efyza
Published: April 2023

Sago (Metroxylon sagu) starch was the staple carbohydrate source in Sarawak, Malaysia. Saguk and Linut are two well-known traditional Sago foods. Like many traditional Sago foods, their glycaemic index (GI) has yet to be established. This study aimed to determine the GI for Saguk and Linut. Isoglucidic servings containing 50g available carbohydrate for both foods and glucose drink as reference, were consumed by 12 healthy subjects. Blood was drawn at predefined intervals for 2 hours to measure postprandial glycaemia and subsequently to determine the GIs. Linut and Saguk demonstrated “moderate to high GI” and “moderate to low GI” values of 69.8 ± 5.5 and 46.9 ± 5.1. In addition, glycaemic load (GL) at various serving sizes was also evaluated. Serving sizes illustrated as one quarter, half and three quarters of a regular rice bowl, yielded “low to high” GLs values from 10.0 to 27.4 for Linut, while “low to moderate” GLs values from 5.9 to 17.6 for Saguk. Albeit its high GI, the GL for Linut at a serving size of up to half the volume of a regular rice bowl was moderate, thus suggesting a healthier serving Linut indulgence. This visualization is thought to be useful as portion control for Linut. This low GI characteristic of Sago is believed to be attributed to its resistant starch (RS) content. The marked GI difference between Saguk and Linut was the result of "wet" and "dry" heat treatments, which has profoundly affected the starch structure resulting in loss of RS, thus increasing starch digestibility. It is therefore noteworthy to exercise caution and refrain from any generalisation that meals composed predominantly from high RS sources such as Sago starch would elicit low glycaemic response. This can lead to erroneous deduction if factors such as food processing and glycaemic burden per serving are not judiciously considered.
How does explicit knowledge inform policy shaping? The case of Burkina Faso’s national social protection policy
Authors: Kadio Kadidiatou , Dagenais Christian , Ridde Valery
Published: April 2023

In 2009, Burkina Faso embarked on a process leading to the development of a national social protection policy (politique nationale de protection sociale–PNPS) in 2012. The objective of this study was to analyze the circumstances under which explicit knowledge was used to inform the process of emergence and formulation PNPS. The term explicit knowledge excludes tacit and experiential knowledge, taking into account research data, grey literature, and monitoring data. Court and Young’s conceptual framework was adapted by integrating concepts from political science, such as Kingdon’s Multiple Streams framework. Discursive and documentary data were collected from 30 respondents from national and international institutions. Thematic analysis guided the data processing. Results showed that use of peer-reviewed academic research was not explicitly mentioned by respondents, in contrast to other types of knowledge, such as national statistical data, reports on government program evaluations, and reports on studies by international institutions and NGOs, also called technical and financial partners (TFPs). The emergence phase was more informed by grey literature and monitoring data. In this phase, national actors deepened and increased their knowledge (conceptual use) on the importance and challenges of social protection. The role of explicit knowledge in the formulation phase was nuanced. The actors’ thinking was little guided by the question of whether the solutions had the capacity to solve the problem in the Burkina Faso context. Choices were based very little on analysis of strategies (effectiveness, equity, unintended effects) and their applicability (cost, acceptability, feasibility). This way of working was due in part to actors’ limited knowledge on social protection and the lack of government guidance on strategic choices. Strategic use was clearly identified. It involved citing knowledge (reports on studies conducted by TFPs) to justify the utility and feasibility of a PNPS. Instrumental use consisted of drawing from workshop presentations and study reports when writing sections of the PNPS. The consideration of a recommendation based on explicit knowledge was influenced by perceived political gains, i.e., potential social and political consequences.
Surgical procedures in Danish children 1999–2018
Authors: Jensen Andreas , Greisen Gorm , Hjuler Thomas , Graff Stensballe Lone
Published: April 2023

Objective

To assess if the overall utilisation of surgery in Danish children 0–5 years of age increased in the period 1999–2018 in line with the development within specialised medical services. The epidemiology on surgical procedures is scarce.

Methods

National register-based cohort study of all Danish children born 1994–2018 (n = 1,599,573) using data on surgery in public and private hospitals from The National Patient Register and data on surgery in private specialist practice from The Health Service Register. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using Poisson regression with 1999 as the reference year.

Results

During the study period 115,573 different children (7.2% of the cohort) underwent surgery. The overall incidence of surgical procedures was stable, but the use of surgery increased in neonates mainly due to an increase in frenectomy. Boys underwent more surgery than girls. In children with severe chronic disease the rate of surgery decreased in public hospitals and increased in private specialist practices.

Conclusion

The utilisation of surgical procedures in Danish children 0–5 years of age did not increase from 1999 to 2018. The use of available register data in the present study may inspire surgeons to conduct further studies to enhance the knowledge within the area of surgical procedures.
Inflecting the house: Upside down and ungrounded between walls, windows, mirrors and screens
Authors: Berstrand Tordis
Published: April 2023

During COVID-19, private living spaces have become settings for activities usually taking place elsewhere. Work, education and leisure activities have moved in, while we have moved out and now frequently project our private interiors onto the screens of others when meeting online. We see ourselves reflected while reflecting each other, and we peek into the lives of strangers while staging our own for the world to see. If such virtual cross-extensions of public and private domains are not completely new, then they have been taken to a whole new level during the pandemic. The article explores such projected interiors extended between screens and walls and the implications these have for the thinking and making of a future living space. It asks how in response to the current environmental crisis the experience of the pandemic interior might help project new spaces radically different from the ones of pre-pandemic times. Two versions of a drawing made in the early 1920s by the Swiss German artist Paul Klee evoke the experience of spatial relationships familiar from the pandemic house. Creative writing of an inflected space detected in the drawings identifies an opening in the fabric of the interior potentially leading us into a future.
Shelter Homes - Safe haven or prison?
Authors: Abdul Hamid Haezreena Begum
Published: April 2023

Shelters are the most common form of assistance available to trafficked persons in Malaysia and other countries. They may offer a safe and protected environment in which they can begin their recovery and access services such as legal, medical, or psychosocial aid. However, the rules imposed in the shelters and the overall victim protection mechanisms in Malaysia have been heavily criticised for violating human rights principles. This is because ‘rescued’ victims are forcibly detained in shelters until they are repatriated, which may take months or even a year. This article considers the conditions of victims’ detention from a socio-legal perspective. Drawing upon interviews with 29 trafficked women and 12 professionals from a shelter in Kuala Lumpur, it explores the women’s living conditions and access to legal support and mental and physical healthcare within the facility. The article concludes that routine detention of trafficked persons in shelters violates fundamental principles of international law and is therefore to be considered unlawful.
Closing the Door on Survivors: How anti-trafficking programmes in the US limit access to housing
Authors: Romero Karen , Torres Tatiana , Jones Alana , Dacosta-Reyes Ciara
Published: April 2023

Housing is often an immediate need for survivors as they exit a trafficking situation. Due to financial hardship, housing availability, and other barriers, many survivors rely on time-limited housing options, some which are offered by anti-trafficking service providers. As such, the anti-trafficking field has begun to adopt trauma-informed approaches to housing to meet the needs of survivors. In this paper, we present an analysis of policies and procedures from 73 US anti-trafficking housing programmes on the implementation of a trauma-informed model. We argue that mandatory requirements limit the implementation of trauma-informed service delivery. Additionally, practices such as the voluntary services model can be leveraged to increase trauma-informed approaches in housing services. Lessons learnt from this process can inform the revision of punitive policies and procedures in favour of those that are voluntary and trauma-informed.
A problémás mértékű internethasználat gyermekek körében
Authors: Szabó-Prievara Dóra Katalin , Tarkó Klára
Published: April 2023

A minél korábbi életkorban megkezdett internethasználat egyre inkább általános jelenséggé válik, a gyermekek egyre fiatalabban válnak a digitális világ használóivá. Az életkoruk előrehaladtával pedig a használat men�- nyisége csak fokozódik, serdülőkorban már akár problémás mértékű használat is kialakulhat. Olyan szintű a bevonódás az egyes online tevékenységekbe, ami aztán a gyermek élete egyéb területeinek és feladatainak (például házi feladat, alvás, barátok) elhanyagolásához vezethet. Kutatásunk során az Internet Addiction Test for Families (IAT-F) kérdőívet fordítottuk le magyar nyelvre, ennek a tesztnek alkalmaztuk a 3-11 (Ellenőrzőlista a Problémás és Kockázatos Gyermeki Médiahasználatról) és 12-18 éves gyermekek (Szülő-Gyermek Internetfüggőségi Teszt) szülei számára összeállított különálló kérdéssorait. Az adatgyűjtésben összesen 225 szülő vett részt, a gyermekeik 117 lány és 108 fiú, a 3-11 éves korosztályból 114 fő és a 12-18 éves korosztályból 111 fő. Az eredményeink alapján elmondható, hogy a 3-11 éves korcsoport több mint 30 százalékára rizikós vagy problémás használat jellemző, míg 12-18 éves korban is 20 százalékban mérsékelt és 10 százalékban súlyos kategóriába sorolhatóak a fiatalok. További eredményünk, hogy a szülők képernyőhasználati szokásai (mind mennyiségi, mind tartalmi szempontból) összefüggtek a gyermek szokásaival. Mindezek felhívják a figyelmet a szülők felelősségére a gyermekeik digitális világban kialakított szokásaira, még serdülőkorban is, nemcsak a szabályozó, hanem a mintaadó szerepük által.
Quality of yellow passion fruit as a function of irrigation, artificial pollination, and protected cultivation
Authors: Mendes da Silva Nilciléia , Araújo Neto Sebastião Elviro de , Souza e Souza Luís Gustavo de , Pinto Geazí Penha , Felix Ferreira Regina Lúcia , Lemos Uchôa Thays
Published: April 2023

Among the fruit crops of economic expression in Brazil, the passion fruit stands out for the medicinal, cosmetic and organoleptic properties of its fruits, having great acceptance by consumers. Because of this, the objective was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of yellow passion fruit fruits under organic system as a function of pollination combined with irrigated and protected cultivation. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in divided plots (2 x 2 x 2) with eight treatments and four replications containing four plants per experimental unit. The protected environment was installed on the upper part of each espalier, consisting of a 100  m   transparent additive plastic film as material for the covering. Irrigation was of the micro sprinkler type and manual or natural (entomophilic) pollination. The following were evaluated: soluble solids content; total titratable acidity; ratio; raw pulp yield; juice yield; In the classification of the fruits - the physical appearance was analyzed, counting the amount of fruits that presented light, serious or without damages and the equatorial diameter of the fruits. These assessments were carried out in two periods: crop 1 (January to August 2019) and crop 2 (September 2019 to August 2020). It is concluded that: the cultivation system combining rainfed, plastic protection of plants and artificial pollination produces fruits with larger diameter and larger percentage of fruits in gauge 5; the raw pulp and juice yield, titratable acidity, soluble solids and ratio are not influenced by the cultivation systems.
Piper nigrum allelopathy on the germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa and Panicum maximum
Authors: Rodrigues Filho Josinei , Follador Nogueira Enes , França Hildegardo , Borges Corte Viviana , Tereza de Almeida Leite Perin Idalina , Henrique Waichert Rodolpho
Published: April 2023

The increased demand for food promotes greater use of agricultural inputs and pesticides used in pest control. Many of these products have negative environmental and public health impacts. Thus, there is a need for alternative products, with allelopathic capacity that reduce such impacts. The objective of this work was to verify the allelopathic potential of Piper nigrum L. extracts on the germination and initial growth of Panicum maximum Jacq. and Lactuca sativa seeds. The experimental design used was completely randomized, using two plant organs (leaf and seed), three extractors (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) and five concentrations (0 mg/L, 200 mg/L, 400 mg/L, 600 mg/L and 800 mg/L). It was verified the influence of these extracts on germination speed index (IVG), germination percentage (G), mean germination time (TMG), allelopathy index (IA), shoot growth (CPA) and in the root growth (CR) of seeds and seedlings. The leaf and seed extracts, at all concentrations and extractors tested, did not show phytotoxicity or had a very small inhibitory effect on germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa. For Panicum maximum, ethyl acetate and methanol seed extracts, at the highest concentrations tested, had the most significant negative effects on the weed. Thus, it was possible to infer that extracts from Piper nigrum seeds have potential use in the control of the weed Panicum maximum.
Post-harvest quality of safflower flower stems at different pre-cooling periods and preservative solutions
Authors: Menegaes Janine Farias , Russi Nunes Ubirajara , Antonello Londero Backes Fernanda Alice , Swarowsky Alexandre , Tasquetto Fiorin Tatiana , de Lima Franzen Felipe
Published: April 2023

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), belonging to the Asteraceae family, originating in Asia, is considered one of the oldest agricultural crops, with records dating back to 4.500 BC, extraction of food, medicinal and biodiesel oil, animal feed, and floral stems for ornamentation. In Brazil, cultivation is still relatively new, requiring studies regarding the post-harvest of its floral stems, which have an ornamental character due to their beauty, rusticity and versatility of use. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the post-harvest quality and durability of safflower flower stems treated with different pre-cooling periods and preservative solutions. The experiment was conducted with a completely randomized design, organized in a 3x7 factorial scheme (pre-cooling periods and preservative solutions), with four replications, and each experimental unit consisted of five flower stems. The average diameters of the inflorescences and stems were evaluated, as well as the durability of a healthy and marketable aspect. It was observed that the durability of the safflower flower stems was favored with pre-cooling, and when combined with different preservative solutions, they present up to 12 days of pot life. Recommended treatment is a combination of preservative solution containing distilled water + 20 mg L-1 of citric acid and a pre-cooling period of 24 h.
Saúde integral das populações do campo, da floresta e águas
Authors: Guerra Lúcia Dias da Silva , Sabino Wilson , Cardoso Andrea dos Santos
Published: April 2023

O objetivo deste texto é contribuir para a reflexão sobre a importância de experiências locais em saúde, com enfoque na formação multiprofissional, no processo de trabalho, na atenção e assistência primária de diferentes povos do cenário Amazônico. Para isso, trouxemos elementos do campo da saúde coletiva, como diversificação cultural, territorial e social, os aspectos espaciais e organizacionais que influenciam diretamente no atendimento e na estrutura das unidades de saúde na Atenção Primária neste contexto. A Região Amazônica, especialmente, os territórios das comunidades do rio Tapajós e Arapiuns, no município de Santarém, no Oeste do Estado do Pará vão elucidar as dificuldades no acesso aos Serviços de Assistência à Saúde – SAS e os desafios ainda permanentes para a implementação da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral das Populações do Campo, da Floresta e Águas – PNSIPCFA. O modo de vida da população dessa região, que é do campo, da floresta e das águas se mostra intimamente relacionado com o ambiente e a natureza, no entanto, as contradições do pensamento econômico ultraneoliberal que avançam no setor da saúde reconfiguram as necessidades em saúde.
The buried giant: Construction materials shape the environmental footprint of buildings
Authors: Frischknecht Rolf
Published: April 2023

The environmental impacts, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions, of the construction and deconstruction of buildings come more and more into focus of governments and professional building owners. In new constructions these so-called embodied impacts are often more important than the environmental impacts during 50 years use phase. How did the environmental impacts caused by construction materials and building technologies and their supply chains change during the past three decades? What might be expected in the future? How did LCA contribute to the past development and how did LCA practice evolve during this period? Finally, are current LCA practices suited to support the transformation of the building stock towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions?In a first part, the past as well as the potential future development of the environmental impacts caused by the manufacture of selected key construction materials and their supply chains will be presented. The main measures which lead to lower impacts in the past and which will be needed to further reduce environmental impacts in the future will be named. Current trends will be assessed against their effectiveness to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions of buildings and the built environment.In a second part the history and evolution of LCI data collection and data management will be discussed. Several aspects will be covered such as information sources, modelling and methodology, environmental impacts (pollutants and resources) covered in the LCIs, IT resources and solutions, and information policies.
A fossil free future - scenarios for Austria - implications for Europe
Authors: Streicher Wolfgang
Published: April 2023

If the energy transition completely away from fossil fuels to renewable energies due to climate change and to reduce the dependency from not or semi democratic countries is taken serious, many implications and needed measures have to be faced. In the keynote a general approach with the options reduction of energy demand, generation of renewables within the countries and, if not enough renewable energy is available locally, where could the additional renewable energy be imported from, will be shown. Additionally, the question of energy storage is tackled to overcome the timely variation of the production of renewable energy carriers and the demand. The whole process is shown in detail for the province of Tyrol/Austria, where the possible potential of renewables is compared to the energy need after possible reduction of the energy demand in the whole energy system. The sectors housing, mobility/transportation and industry are included. It will be shown, that the energy efficiency of the whole system needs to be as high as possible and that not only technologic measures are needed but also many other aspects like laws, democracy, micro- and macroeconomics etc. have to be looked at and several dilemmas have to be solved. Concerning the cost it has to be stated that no transition if the energy system will become far more expensive due to the costs of climate change compared to the costs for the energy change, which ranges in about 1 %/GNP.
Toward a critical assessment of indoor environmental quality standards
Authors: Mahdavi Ardeshir , Berger Christiane
Published: April 2023

Building design and operation requirements regarding indoor-environmental quality (IEQ) are of direct relevance to occupants' needs. In most buildings, occupant-related requirements pertain to the provision of conditions that support optimal task performance and are subjectively perceived as comfortable or pleasant. Codes, standards, and guidelines that specify IEQ requirements are commonly viewed as the main sources of reference for practitioners, who are expected to follow the provisions in these documents and provide corresponding proof of compliance. However, actual code compliance processes are not always accompanied by critical reflections regarding the evidentiary basis of the entailed mandates and recommendations. It is thus necessary to critically scrutinise standards in view of explicit or implicit references to the scientific basis of the entailed mandates. The present contribution explores and details a path toward such a critical assessment. To this end, we considered a number of typical and frequently referenced standards pertaining to thermal, visual, and air quality aspects of indoor environments. The results of this illustrative assessment effort highlight the scope and limitations of the standards' default approaches to the definition of IEQ-relevant requirements. Moreover, they point to considerable gaps in the chain of evidence from standards' immediate content to the underlying factual sources.
Environmental performances evaluation through building information models
Authors: Barbini Ambra , Malacarne Giada , Massari Giovanna A. , Marcher Carmen , Matt Dominik T.
Published: April 2023

The construction industry produces several negative environmental impacts. To promote solutions that reduce these negative impacts, it is crucial to increase awareness among all parties involved in the supply chain. Currently, certification protocols, environmental labels and declarations are the most common tools for promoting sustainability in the construction industry. However, these tools are generally non-mandatory and require specific competencies to thoroughly understand and interpret their outputs, especially for non-specialized users in sustainability assessment. This paper presents a tool for visualizing environmental impacts directly through a Building Information Model, by assigning different colours to model objects according to their environmental performances. Understanding environmental performances data is thus more accessible to non-expert users. Unlike several BIM LCA integration studies that primarily focus on the needs of designers, this contribution considers the perspective of manufacturers. The developed tool focuses on building products and has been carried out with the Autodesk Revit BIM authoring platform and its VPL-based Dynamo plug-in. Through the combination of 3D models and histograms, the tool facilitates manufacturers to visualize with real time updates which phase of a product life cycle requires sustainable innovation, which sub components or process determine the major environmental impacts and calculate the environmental cost indicator of a product.
Options of modelling refurbishment in LCA: continuous improvement strategy and next life cycle approach
Authors: Balouktsi Maria , Lützkendorf Thomas
Published: April 2023

Compared to other goods, buildings have a long lifespan. It is therefore the norm and not the exception that adaptation will be needed at some point in their life cycle to changing environmental conditions, technical progress and new/additional user requirements. The adaptation of existing buildings to future challenges in the form of refurbishment contributes to sustainable development. The proportion of refurbishments is increasing in both absolute and relative terms in the building sector in Europe. It is therefore surprising that the modelling particularities of refurbishment in the context of a life cycle-based environmental performance assessment are still neglected in the EN-standards. The paper deals with these particularities. Specifically, it presents a typology of approaches starting with a distinction between planned refurbishment as B5 and unforeseen refurbishment as an independent design and construction task / next life cycle, as well as the status of the discussion in selected countries. Recommendations for action for the life cycle assessment are given for specific decision-making situations.
Attitude towards LCA in Hungary and Czechia – Results of a survey among building design professionals
Authors: Szalay Zsuzsa , Lupisek Antonín
Published: April 2023

Architects and designers have a critical role in promoting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a scientific methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts of buildings that can help decarbonise the built environment and minimise other negative effects.This paper presents the results of an international survey conducted among design professionals as part of the IEA Annex 72 project about assessing life cycle related environmental impacts caused by buildings. Twenty-three countries were participating in the survey altogether, but in this paper, only the specific situation in two Central European countries, Hungary and Czechia, are presented. The questionnaire explored the designers’ understanding of environmental problems and LCA methodology, the drivers and barriers of environmental assessment and the future perspectives.The results show that many architects and designers are concerned about environmental problems and the built environment’s contribution but have a limited understanding of the applicable scientific methods. A full LCA is seldomly applied as neither regulations nor clients demand it, and only the operational energy is mandatorily assessed. Further improvements in data quality and assessment tools and regulatory and other drivers are needed to increase the use of LCA in the construction sector.
Development of scientific requirements for climate-neutral buildings and sustainable funding schemes in Germany
Authors: Eckart Sylvi , Jäger Juliane , Kerz Nicolas , Rietz Andreas
Published: April 2023

The German Climate Protection Plan 2050 describes interim targets and measures for the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, including the building sector. With the “New European Bauhaus”, the EU Commission has currently initiated an ambitious process. While new construction has been in the foreground up to now, the existing building stock must make a significant contribution to achieving the climate protection goals in the future. Robust building technology and a high degree of adaptability lead to a longer useful life and are thus more sustainable, both economically and in terms of ecological balance. Resilience to the consequences of climate change is gaining in importance.The main goal of this contribution is to inform about the latest developments in governmental policies and subsidy schemes. As part of the National Climate Protection Programme 2030, the new “Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG)” was introduced in 2021. Research projects investigated how, with the introduction of efficiency house classes, funding can take greater account of the life cycle approach and other aspects of sustainability. At the same time, general and special requirements for the ecological, socio-cultural and economic quality were developed as a supplement to the existing certification systems and introduced by the Federal Building Ministry as “Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings” (QNG).
Thoughts on the selection of the appropriate simulation models in building performance assessment
Authors: Berger Christiane , Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: April 2023

Building performance simulation serves the derivation of the relevant building performance indicators (e.g., energy use, indoor-environmental conditions) given the assumptions of certain model input parameters (i.e., description of the building, boundary conditions, occupants' presence and behaviour). Simulation can be employed for multiple purposes, including but not limited to building design support, building systems configuration, and code compliance demonstration. It has been suggested that the level of detail and resolution of simulation models must match their deployment purpose. However, there is arguably a lack of definitive guidelines for the purpose-dependent selection of appropriate simulation models. To address this challenge, the present contribution suggests that the attributes of a simulation model in general, and the type of the adopted occupant model in particular, must correspond to the specifics of the building performance indicator under investigation. To make progress in this area, a typological classification of building performance indicators is proposed along three salient dimensions, namely the indicators' topical domain (e.g., energy use, thermal comfort, noise control), their spatial attributes, and their temporal attributes. Following a detailed analysis, the paper presents a high-level approach to derive the basic requirements concerning occupant models as a~categorical function of the simulation purpose.