bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stroke and Healthcare Facilities in Bangladesh and Other Developing Countries
Authors: Shaikhul Hasan Mohammad , Narattharaksha Kanida , Sazzad Hossain Md. , Afrin Nahar
Published: March 2022

Globally, healthcare systems are struggling to make a healthier citizen by dropping infectious and non-infectious diseases. South-east Asian countries have achieved several Millennium Development Goals (MDG) with the efforts of better health system management. For instance, in the year 2015, the healthcare system of Bangladesh has achieved the MDG-Four in reducing the infant mortality rate and growth rate. Even then, the life-threatening diseases still remain as a major challenge to the healthcare systems in Bangladesh. Among those, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of death, and stroke is the second leading NCD in accordance with causes of death and long-term disability in Bangladesh. The majority as 80% of stroke survivors are living with either minor or major physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. They could get back to their functional life through comprehensive rehabilitation services. Nevertheless, information on the availability of rehabilitation services is not visible to all citizens of Bangladesh. That’s why more than half of all stroke survivors are dying on their way to the hospital to seek health care facilities. Therefore, the aim of this literature review was to present a clear vision of the healthcare system and the path of care to all citizens of Bangladesh.
Intra-Annual Variation in Leaf Anatomical Traits of an Overwintering Shrub of High Elevations of Himalaya
Authors: Rathore Nikita , Thakur Dinesh , Elennie Hopak Nang , Chawla Amit
Published: March 2022

Trait variability in response to seasonal variations can be hypothesised as an advantageous strategy for overwintering shrubs. This hypothesis was tested by elucidating patterns of trait variation in an evergreen alpine shrub, Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don. The study site was established at Rohtang (3990 m a.s.l.) in western Himalaya. Its leaves were sampled at 10 time points spanning a period of 1 year (beginning from 22-August-2017 to 14-August-2018) for estimating anatomical traits using light and scanning electron microscopy. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance, and the trait-temperature relationships were analysed using linear regression. The results indicated a lower variability in the anatomical traits. A few traits (e.g. cuticle thickness and epidermal scales) were found to be significantly correlated with temperature (p < 0.05). Our analysis revealed increase in cuticle thickness and a decrease in epidermal scales (size) during low-temperature conditions. The lesser variability found in anatomical traits of overwintering shrub could be explained as ‘evolutionary gained adaptive traits’.
Applications of Omics Approaches to Decipher the Impact of Contaminants in Dolphins
Authors: Cristina Collí-Dulá Reyna , Mariel Ruiz-Hernández Ixchel
Published: March 2022

With the advent of omic technologies (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and lipidomic), it has been possible to identify global profiles of genes, proteins or metabolites in cells, tissues or organ systems at the same time. Key pathways can be identified associated with certain diseases, physiology processes or adverse effects in response to contaminants in marine organisms. This review focuses on underlining how the use of omics technology in dolphins has contributed to understanding its physiological responses and ambient stressors. They provide a basis for understanding dolphins’ physiology and a means for monitoring health conditions as well as furthering ecotoxicology studies.
Treating Trauma-related Disorders in Later Life: Moving Forward
Authors: C.G. Lely Jeannette , J. Kleber Rolf
Published: March 2022

Among stress-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) takes a central position. Although the percentage of older adults suffering from this condition appears to be lower than among younger adults, PTSD among them often presents a serious condition with high comorbidity rates. In this contribution, recent insights into post-traumatic stress disorder among older people as well as psychotherapeutic treatments are discussed. In particular, the results of recently completed investigations are discussed. In this research, treatment outcomes of two psychotherapeutic approaches considered suitable for older PTSD patients (Narrative Exposure Therapy or NET and Present Centered Therapy or PCT) were compared in terms of psychopathology and psychosocial adjustment. For older patients suffering from PTSD with varying backgrounds, both NET and PCT showed the potential for a significant reduction of symptoms (PTSD, depression and subjective distress). Moreover, it was found that older adults can change long-standing beliefs, even after long-past childhood trauma. In a patient’s own words: “I am still here, the past didn’t bring me to my knees”. These findings disconfirm unfounded pessimism regarding psychotherapy in later life. Currently available treatment approaches in later life can be meaningful in improving the quality of life in older adults for years to come.
Macrophages in the Smooth Muscle Layers of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Cipriani Gianluca , Pullapantula Suraj
Published: March 2022

Muscularis macrophages are a newly discovered population of immune cells populating the smooth muscle layers of the gastrointestinal tract. Beyond their well-established role in modulating innate immunity, these cells are emerging for their ability to communicate with cells required for gastrointestinal motility. This chapter will describe the factors contributing to muscularis macrophages’ phenotype and the functional connections these cells established with different cell types.
Deciphering Economic Effects of COVID-19
Authors: Witika Fitzgerald
Published: March 2022

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to tremendous positive and negative effects in various economies across different countries worldwide. Nonetheless, despite the difference in economic structures of countries, the major effects of COVID-19 on economies are similar but tend to vary in magnitude depending on the level of development and climatic conditions in different countries. In this respect, this chapter is aimed at providing a critical approach to understand the nature of the positive and negative effects of COVID-19 on economies using the aggregate supply and aggregate demand (AS-AD) model in contemporary economics. The basis for this approach is to decipher the economic effects of COVID-19 on economies worldwide with reference to the theoretical literature in economics on the operationalization of market forces illustratable with the AS-AD model. Be that as it may, comprehensive discussions regarding the economic effects of COVID-19 on economies will also encompass contemporary findings in empirical studies on COVID-19. As such, the chapter will demonstrate how contemporary theories pertaining to the AS-AD model can be applicable in explaining the economic effects of COVID-19.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Tags in the Sea UrchinParacentrotus lividus(Lamarck, 1816)
Authors: Tourón Noelia , Paredes Estefanía , Costas Damián
Published: March 2022

The marking of sea urchins was implemented with the main objective of being able to individually identify the urchins in the natural environment once released. In addition, it’s very useful to monitor individuals in studies of growth, movements, development, population dynamics, etc., that develop in the natural environment. Numerous different marking methodologies have been tested for sea urchins, either by physical marking (external and internal labels) or by using chemical marking methods consisting of the use of fluorochromes, which adhere to the calcified structures of the urchin. In this work, 5 different physical marks were used to mark 400 urchins of the Paracentrotus lividus species, which were kept for a month at the ECIMAT facilities in Toralla island. The efficacy of the methods used in each case was analyzed, comparing the survival rate and the tag retention rate of the tagged urchins obtained with each tagging methodology.
Perspective Chapter: Role of Frozen Allografts in Aortic Valve Surgery
Authors: Pfitzner Roman
Published: March 2022

Although, the mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, of good parameters, availability and easy of implantation, are universally applied as substitutes for failed aortic valve, the usefulness of aortic valve allografts (AVA); natural, viable, unstented human valves, is still considered. The essential technology for their preparation is cryopreservation, which allows for long-term storage. Hemodynamic functions of AVA are like of native valve, they do not produce hemolysis nor thromboembolism. Being markedly resistant for infection, AVA are recommended as the optimal grafts for severe endocarditis. Indeed, there exist some disadvantages, such as low availability, need for a specialized laboratories; implantation may be a challenge. Therefore, AVA are not recommended for routine use. Their important limitation is durability, affected with degenerative processes, characteristic of biological implants. Nevertheless, AVA presented satisfactory clinical results after 10, 20, and more years. This chapter have been discussed in detail the principal issues, connected with AVA, including preparation technologies, indications for use, surgical techniques, and first of all, clinical results.
Splicing in Cancer
Authors: Moghanibashi Mehdi , Mohamadynejad Parisa
Published: March 2022

Defects in splicing, especially alternative splicing have been frequently found in cancers. Mutations in the splicing regulatory elements of important genes involved in cancers or the genes encoding regulatory splicing machinery could play a key role in carcinogenesis. Alterations in regulator factors in splicing have emerged as a new class of oncoproteins and tumor suppressor genes. Understanding the molecular mechanism of how defects in splicing and in particular alternative splicing are involved in carcinogenesis, could lead to new strategies to cancer therapy. Here, we review the molecular mechanism of splicing and regulatory factors involved in alternative splicing, as well as the aberrant splicing that affects cancer hallmarks. Finally, we summarize new approaches in cancer therapy based on splicing.
Microwave Soil Treatment Alleviates Arsenic Phytotoxicity and Reduces Wheat Grain Arsenic Concentration
Authors: Humayun Kabir Mohammed , Brodie Graham , Gupta Dorin , Pang Alexis
Published: March 2022

Arsenic (As) contamination in soil and accumulation in food crops has raised much concern worldwide due to its phytotoxicity and possible human health risk. This study was conducted to determine whether microwave (MW) soil treatment could alleviate As phytotoxicity and reduce wheat grain As concentration or not. Experimental soils were spiked to five levels of As concentration (As-0, As-20, As-40, As-60, and As-80 mg kg–1) prior to applying three levels of MW treatment (MW-0, MW-3, and MW-6 minute). Significantly higher plant growth and grain yield and lower grain As concentration was recorded in MW treatments compared with the control treatment. For instance, significantly higher grain yield (28.95 g pot–1) and lower grain As concentration (572.03 μg kg–1) were recorded in MW-6 treatment compared with MW-0 (22.03 g pot–1 and 710.45 μg kg–1, respectively) at the same soil As concentration. Hence, MW soil treatment has the potential to alleviate As phytotoxicity and to reduce the grain As concentration. Ultimately, MW soil treatment will reduce As bioaccumulation in the human body even if wheat is grown in As contaminated soil. Nevertheless, further validation experiments are needed to explore the effectiveness of MW treatment in field conditions.
A Vascular Necrosis of Femoral Head in Sickle Cell Anemia
Authors: Lafi Al-Otaibi Mohammed
Published: March 2022

Sickle cell disease is a well-known disease with evolving changes in medical as well as surgical management. Recent developments in medical management and the well-adjusted screening protocols for the disease complications toward its anticipation and prevention and all these recent changes have led to more work toward understanding and managing disease orthopedics complications. Many researchers considered the major ones affecting patients’ daily living activity, with the improvement in patients living expectancy. Thanks to the evidence-based medical management and the development of new agents such as L-Glutamate that are recently implemented and help space the vaso-occlusive crises. This phenomenon plays the cornerstone effects on the disease pathology and leads to its harmful effects on many systems, including the muscles and bones. The infarct does occur almost everywhere through the muscle-skeletal system, with predilected site happening to be the hip joints. A vascular necrosis of the femoral head does occur in other conditions, and dealing with the one happening in sickle cell anemia must take into account all issues concerning this disease. There is growing evidence that surgical intervention with the total hip is best when there is a loss of congruency of the femoral head with head subchondral collapse and not in pure infarct with femoral head maintaining its sphere shape.
Maritime Pine, Its Biological and Silvicultural Traits for the Basis of Natural Resources: An Overview
Authors: Fidalgo Fonseca Teresa , Cristina Gonçalves Ana , Lousada José
Published: March 2022

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) is a forest tree species with a high representation in southwestern European countries, in particular Portugal, Spain, and France. The species traits and their flexibility and plasticity are of importance both for timber and to the sustainability of the forest systems. Extensive research has been made on the maritime pine systems and productions. The aim of this study is to review the state-of-the art on the knowledge of the species, their forest systems, and their productions, to identify vulnerabilities and to summarize tools to help its management. The specific objectives of this review are: i) characterizing maritime pine, its distribution, genetic material and provenances, the biotic and abiotic disturbances, the diversity and sustainability of its forest systems; (ii) its management, encompassing the silvicultural systems and practices; (iii) to list existing growth models, simulators and decision support systems; and (iv) present information on wood technology, including sylvotechnology, wood properties, and their use.
A Review of Signal Analysis Methods and Their Applications in the Reversible Pump Turbine
Authors: Li Hao , Zheng Xianghao , Zhang Yuning , Li Jinwei , Zhang Yuning
Published: March 2022

This chapter summarizes the signal analysis methods and their applications in the field of reversible pump turbine, including time-domain analysis, time-frequency analysis, mode decomposition and de-noising. The time-domain analysis methods include the time-domain statistical parameters, correlation analysis and chaos evaluation. The time-frequency analysis methods include the short-time Fourier transform, Hilbert-Huang transform and VMD-Hilbert transform. Furthermore, the signal mode decomposition and signal de-noising will be introduced together with the related evaluation indexes. The applications of the aforementioned methods are demonstrated based on both the simulated ideal signals and the measured signals from the prototype reversible pump turbines.
Diagnosis of IPF
Authors: T. Taweesedt Pahnwat , Gandhi Kejal , Shah Reena , Surani Salim
Published: March 2022

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung fibrosis with an unknown cause commonly seen in the elderly. Obtaining histories such as past medical history, exposure history, occupational history, and family history can be crucial parts to help to find other pulmonary fibrosis causes. Not only that, but thorough physical examination can rule out pulmonary fibrosis related to other diseases. Several diagnostic modalities have helped to improve the IPF assessment, including computer tomographic scan, histopathology, bronchoscopy lavage, serological testing, and serum biomarkers. Diagnostic of exclusion is required. The consensus from multidisciplinary IPF experts’ discussion from various societies recommends the clinical practice for IPF diagnosis to help define this condition. In this book chapter, we will discuss the evidence for each of the diagnostic techniques for IPF.
Basic Functional Application for Natural Fibers and Types
Authors: Guru Ramratan , Kumar Anupam , Kumar Rohit
Published: March 2022

Natural fiber has a more long history and these are very important in a wide range of applications in the textile sector. Basically, natural fibers have biopolymers and natural fibers are basically made from either plant or animal-sourced. The plant-based natural fibers are major constituent of cellulose content and animal-based natural fibers are comprised of proteins. Nowadays, more used around the world for the plant-based natural fibers to bioplastics, biocomposites materials in automotive industries. These make product are low cost, low density, low manufacturing energy consumption, and more biodegradable. The ever-growing environmental, ecological, and economical concerns lead to increased acceptance of natural fibers in every area of conventional synthetic material application. This is due to biodegradability, nontoxicity, combustibility, easy availability, nonabrasiveness, and good specific strength. The present study focuses on the functional application aspect of natural fibers, basically an identification of fiber, classification and application of fibers process parameters.
Antioxidant Effect and Medicinal Properties of Allspice Essential Oil
Authors: Yareni Andrade Avila Yasvet , Cruz-Olivares Julián , Pérez-Alonso César
Published: March 2022

Pimenta dioica L. Merrill. Myrtaceae family, known for its berries called pimenta or allspice, is one of the oldest spices in the world, widely used for its culinary and medicinal qualities. The main commercial product obtained from this spice is its essential oil, the reason for the interest in essential oil is based on the versatility of its use in different industrial areas (food, cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceuticals) due to its harmless and beneficial effects for health. In addition, it contains compounds that have shown broad biological activity, which turns out to be useful in the treatment of diseases related to the excessive formation of oxygen radicals. As a result, the extraction process and operating conditions have a significant impact on the bioactivity of these molecules. As a consequence, selecting the correct mix of variables to improve oil extraction and functionality is essential. The most of study on this essential oil is being focused on resolving these issues, as well as purification and identification. This chapter will cover the methods for obtaining P. dioica essential oil, as well as the chemical profile of the oil and its biological properties, which include its effects on humans, plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms.
Value-Based Contracting in Health Care
Authors: Duncan Ian
Published: March 2022

A growing topic in healthcare in the United States and other countries is the decentralization of risk from the ultimate healthcare payer (insurance companies and government in the United States; national health systems in other countries) to providers of healthcare services. Healthcare providers have traditionally taken clinical risk.1 However, payers are increasingly looking to providers to assume financial risk, in addition to the risk of clinical quality and outcomes of their managed populations. Numerous different types of contracts are being signed between providers and payers: pay for quality; pay for performance; shared risk and shared savings arrangements; bundled payments, accountable care and capitation (full or partial risk). Any contracting entity must decide what is the right form of contract to enter, what contract features to include and what price to offer the payer and what risk the entity is assuming in doing so. The assessment of opportunity, design of the contract terms, pricing, risk management and outcomes evaluation for these contracts are increasingly complex exercises. This chapter covers these issues, including the actuarial mathematics of contract risk assessment and mitigation, taking the reader through the 5 components of a Value-based contract.
Neuroimmunology and Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19
Authors: Weissert Robert
Published: March 2022

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is causing coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). Besides respiratory symptoms due to an attack on the broncho-alveolar system, COVID-19, among others, can be accompanied by neurological symptoms because of the affection of the nervous system. These can be caused by intrusion by SARS-CoV-2 of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) and direct infection of local cells. In addition, neurological deterioration mediated by molecular mimicry to virus antigens or bystander activation in the context of immunological anti-virus defense can lead to tissue damage in the CNS and PNS. In addition, cytokine storm caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 can lead to nervous system related symptoms. Endotheliitis of CNS vessels can lead to vessel occlusion and stroke. COVID-19 can also result in cerebral hemorrhage and sinus thrombosis possibly related to changes in clotting behavior. Vaccination is most important to prevent COVID-19 in the nervous system. There are symptomatic or/and curative therapeutic approaches to combat COVID-19 related nervous system damage that are partly still under study.
Enhancing Social Sustainability through Education: Revisiting the Concept of Multicultural Education
Authors: Skrefsrud Thor-André
Published: March 2022

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development holds that education is essential to achieving a sustainable future. Thus, many countries around the world have made multicultural education imperative. However, a pertinent question is how multicultural education should be understood and how inclusive teaching and learning approaches should be initiated and integrated within educational systems. In this chapter, I critically discuss the concept of multicultural education and explore how it may contribute to realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. First, I give an overview of the main characteristics and goals of multicultural education. Second, I discuss what I see as two major hindrances to realising a sustainable multicultural education: the lack of integrating issues of diversity into everyday school practices and the deficit discourse that still characterises contemporary educational debates on diversity.
Theory of Charge Transport in the Illuminated Semiconductor/Liquid Junctions
Authors: Cendula Peter
Published: March 2022

The field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells for solar water splitting or CO2 reduction has attracted intense attention of many research groups in last 15 years. Nevertheless, a cost-effective and efficient PEC cell for hydrogen production in the large scale was not yet discovered. The core functionality of the PEC cell is provided by the semiconductor/liquid junction, creating the electrostatic field to separate the photogenerated charges. This work aims to be a starting point for a newcomer in the field providing a compact knowledge about the charge transport and electrochemistry fundamentals in semiconductor/liquid junctions in the steady state. We describe charge transport within the semiconductor and electron transfer between the semiconductor and electrolyte, followed by the effect of illumination and charge recombination on charge transport. Finally, we discuss the effects due to surface trap states and the relation of the theoretical expressions and experimental results.
Adolescences Disrupted in Displacement: The Protective Effect of Friends as Proxy Family for Unaccompanied Adolescent Refugees Resettling in Ireland
Authors: Hoare Rachel
Published: March 2022

It has become very clear throughout my psychotherapy work with unaccompanied and separated adolescents (UASA) in Ireland, that friendships often provide a critical source of protective psychosocial support within adolescences frequently interrupted by conflict, violence and perilous journeys. Although the increasing importance of friendships in adolescence and more specifically during times of adolescent stress, is well-documented, friendships are likely to be brought into even sharper focus during unaccompanied adolescent displacement, as they typically take on functions more traditionally associated with the absent family. This qualitative exploration of the protective effect of friendships for UASA uses reflexive thematic analysis to analyse composite clinical case material and composite eco-maps to capture the lived friendship experiences of UASA. The data clearly illustrates that UASA friendships provide a safe, accepting, protective space and enabling context in which they can gain psychological and practical peer support and approval.
Research Methodology for Quality and Risk Management in Logistics
Authors: Stefanova Marieta
Published: March 2022

This chapter sees an appropriate approach to build a quality management model by managing the risk of nonconforming logistics activities that result from dynamic environmental changes and contingencies. Logistics management has the misconception that reducing complaints would increase satisfaction to the same extent. Models for positively influencing satisfaction should contain much more than one variable. The customer satisfaction model used in this chapter contains six latent variables: Logistics satisfaction survey; analysis of data from the survey to measure satisfaction with logistics services; chapter to analyze the risk of noncompliant processes in logistics services; survey data analysis to measure the risk of noncompliant processes in logistics services. FMEA analysis was used as a method to investigate the consequences of emerging risks by quantifying the severity, likelihood of occurrence, and detection of nonconforming logistics services that further generated the RPN. The main objective of this chapter is to define the research design and the methods of data collection and analysis.
Bionic Type Piezoelectric Actuators
Authors: Wang Shupeng , Li Jianping
Published: March 2022

Piezoelectric actuators have been applied in many research and industrial fields. However, how to improve the working performance of piezoelectric actuators is still a hot issue. Up to now, many new motion principles have been developed for new piezoelectric actuators. The bionic type piezoelectric actuator is a kind of the novel piezoelectric actuators, and it imitates the motion style of different creatures in nature to overcome the limitation of traditional piezoelectric actuators. Bionic type piezoelectric actuators are able to achieve large working stroke or large output force, which is of great significance for the development of piezoelectric actuators. The principle, design, and future of some bionic type piezoelectric actuators are discussed in this chapter.
Collagen Based 3D Printed Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Ghosh Sougata , Sarkar Bishwarup , Mishra Ratnakar , Thorat Nanasaheb , Thongmee Sirikanjana
Published: March 2022

Tissue grafting is mostly used for repair and replacement of severely damaged tissues, the key challenges are compatibility, availability of the grafts, complex surgical process and post-operative complications. Hence, additive technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting have emerged as promising alternative for tissue engineering in order to ensure safety, compatibility, and rapid healing. The aim of this chapter is to give an elaborate account of 3D printed scaffolds for bone, cartilage, cardio-vascular and nerve tissue engineering. Various components such as polycaprolactone, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), and β-tricalcium phosphate, bioglass 45S5, and nano-hydroxyapatite are combined with collagen and its derivatives to achieve specific pore size in the scaffolds for effective restoration of the defects of soft or hard tissues. Likewise, proanthocyanidin, oxidized hyaluronic acid, methacrylated gelatin, are used in collagen based 3D printed scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. Bioink with collagen as active component is also used for developing cardio-vascular implants with recellularizing properties. Collagen in combination with silk fibroin, chitosan, heparin sulphate and others are ideal for fabrication of elastic nerve guidance conduits. In view of the background, collagen-supplemented hydrogels can revolutionize future biomedical approaches for the development of complex scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Protective Effects of Forests against Gravitational Natural Hazards
Authors: Perzl Frank , Bono Alessia , Garbarino Matteo , Motta Renzo
Published: March 2022

In this chapter, we give a short overview of the protective effects of forests against snow avalanches, landslides and rockfall hazards in mountain areas. The overview is based on the protective mechanisms provided by forest and connects them to the effect-related indicators of forest structure from literature and European protective forest management guidelines. The thresholds of the effect-related indicators are hazard-related silvicultural targets for forest management and critical values for hazard risk assessment. The assessment of the protective effects of forests is a central part of natural hazard risk analysis and requires information on different spatial levels from single tree to slope-scale attributes. Forests are efficient in preventing snow avalanche and landslide initiation; however, they are usually unable to stop large masses of snow, soil and rock in motion. Therefore, guidelines on silvicultural targets and practices must focus on the mitigation of hazard onset probabilities at the stand-scale; however, existing guidelines under- or overestimate the protective effects of forests. Effects of forests on hazard propagation are difficult to implement in forest and risk management practice. Hence, the European protective forest management guidelines do not contain any or only general specifications that simplify the determining factors and their relationships.
Natural Disturbances and Protection Forests: At the Cutting Edge of Remote Sensing Technologies for the Rapid Assessment of Protective Effects against Rockfall
Authors: Lingua Emanuele , Marchi Niccolò , Bettella Francesco , Costa Maximiliano , Pirotti Francesco , Piras Marco , Garbarino Matteo , Morresi Donato , Marzano Raffaella
Published: March 2022

Protection forests can be severely affected by natural disturbances, whose consequences could greatly alter the fundamental ecosystem services they are providing. Assessing and monitoring the status of the protective effects, particularly within disturbed stands, is therefore of vital importance, with timing being a critical issue. Remote sensing technologies (e.g., satellite imagery, LiDAR, UAV) are widely available nowadays and can be effectively applied to quantify and monitor the protective effects of Alpine forests. This is especially important after abrupt changes in forest cover and structure following the occurrence of a disturbance event. In this contribution, we present a brief introduction on remote sensing technologies and their potential contribution to protection forest management, followed by two case studies. In particular, we focus on research areas within protection forests against rockfall affected by windthrow (i.e., the 2018 storm Vaia in the Eastern Italian Alps, where LiDAR and UAV data were used), and forest fires (i.e., the 2017 fall fires in the Western Italian Alps, involving Sentinel-2 image analyses).
Influence of Canopy Disturbances on Runoff and Landslide Disposition after Heavy Rainfall Events
Authors: Scheidl Christian , Heiser Micha , Kamper Sebastian , Thaler Thomas , Rammer Werner , Seidl Rupert , Klebinder Klaus , Lechner Veronika , Nagl Fabian , Kohl Bernhard , Markart Gerhard
Published: March 2022

As protective forests have a major control function on runoff and erosion, they directly affect the risk from hydrogeomorphic processes such as sediment transport processes or debris flows. In this context, future scenarios of climate-related canopy disturbances and their influence on the protective effect remain, however, an unsolved problem. With the individual-based forest landscape and disturbance model iLand, an ensemble of forest landscape simulations was carried out and the effects of future changes in natural disturbance regimes were evaluated. To determine peak runoff, hydrological simulations have been conducted, using the conceptual hydrological model ZEMOKOST as well as the deterministic model GEOtop. Effects of forest disturbances on hillslope stability were investigated, based on a modified Coulomb landslide model. Our results suggest no influence of the disturbance regime on the runoff. The climate-related increase in the frequency of disturbances is not reflected in increased runoff during the period under consideration. Contrary, slope stability analyses indicate that the availability of shallow landslides in steep forested torrent catchments might be decreased by the occurrence of disturbances – especially for a warm and dry climate projection. Canopy disturbances seem to accelerate the adaptation of tree species to future climate conditions, which is likely to be accompanied by a change in root systems away from flat roots that currently predominate in torrential catchments. In terms of managing the protective effect of forests against shallow landslides, such natural disturbances can thus be considered as positive interventions in the existing forest ecosystem by promoting natural succession.
Cost-Benefit Analysis as a Basis for Risk-Based Rockfall Protection Forest Management
Authors: Moos Christine , Dorren Luuk
Published: March 2022

Mountain forests fulfill an important protective effect being the reduction of risk due to natural hazards. Knowing the value of this service is required to efficiently allocate financial resources in protection forest and risk management. In this chapter, we evaluate the protective effect of forests against rockfall at local and regional scale using a risk-based approach. We present a method to quantify rockfall risk under current forest conditions for a case study region along the Gotthard highway (Switzerland). Rockfall runout zones and relative frequencies were determined based on the energy line principle and occurrence frequencies were estimated based on inventory data. We quantified the protective effect of the current forest using a statistical approach and calculated the potential risk without forest. The risk reduction provided by the forest varies between 23 and 60% or 400 and 4500 CHF/(year.ha−1). In a second step, we evaluated a single protection forest complex calculating its Net Present Value (NPV) for a time frame of 100 years based on the risk reduction and compared it to technical protection measures. The NPV of the current forest is positive, whereas protection measure variants including rockfall nets have a highly negative NPV. The results evidence the efficient risk reduction of rockfall protection forests. The presented methods allow for a differentiated procedure for protection forest planning at local and regional scale. A simple risk approach requiring a manageable data set enables practitioners to prioritize forest management. A more detailed economic analysis of protection forest efficiency finally facilitates the planning of protection forest measures at local scale.
Improving Risk Communication Strategies through Public Awareness and Engagement: Insights from South Tyrol and Carinthia
Authors: Pedoth Lydia , Carnelli Fabio , Koboltschnig Gernot , Krenn Paul , Rudloff Anna , Gallmetzer Willigis , Macconi Pierpaolo , Marangoni Nicola
Published: March 2022

This chapter presents experiences and results from the INTERREG Italy-Austria Project RiKoST-Risk communication strategies. The project is a collaboration between partners from research and public authorities and aims at improving target-group-oriented risk communication in South Tyrol (Italy) and Carinthia (Austria). Risk communication plays an essential role for risk governance and may address different aspects and fulfill various purposes, from informing about natural hazards, generating acceptance and awareness for structural and non-structural measures, to triggering participation, increasing resilience, and supporting the development of a risk-competent society. To be effective, risk communication needs, firstly, to acknowledge the needs of different target groups and, secondly, to develop approaches, tools and contents that are most suitable to reach and involve them. This chapter describes the results from different activities carried out in the project: a population survey to better understand people’s risk perception and their knowledge about natural hazards, the information channels they use and trust; awareness raising activities in different municipalities; interactive lessons and a workshop in schools; stakeholder workshops. Our results show that that existing non-structural protection and prevention measures, especially Hazard Zone Plans, are little known among the population, that trust in the responsible authorities is high and that there is a need for a risk dialog through different risk communication activities at different stages to provide targeted information on how individual citizens can contribute to risk management. The chapter concludes on how the presented results can be used by public authorities and policy makers to innovate risk communication strategies and to initiate a risk dialog with the overall aim to improve risk governance at local level.
Měkkýši zapomenutého Branžovského hvozdu (jihozápadní Čechy) [Molluscs of the forgotten Branžovský hvozd Forest (south-western Bohemia)]
Authors: Horáčková Jitka , Dvořák Libor
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a research of the mollusc fauna in the Branžovský hvozd Forest in south-western Bohemia. Altogether, 77 mollusc species (69 terrestrial gastropods, 6 fresh-water gastropods and 2 bivalves) were recorded at 55 selected sites. We primarily focused on the research of natural woodlands and eight forest nature reserves in the area. The common forest species dominate there, with a presence of strictly forest species, such as Ena montana, Petasina unidentata, Platyla polita, Ruthenica filograna, Sphyradium doliolum and Vitrea subrimata. The slug Arion obesoductus has been recorded here for the first time, but only at one site. Its distribution in the Czech Republic is still insufficiently known. Species of open habitats were found exclusively at xeric sites of the castle ruins. The slug Tandonia rustica, a species of areas of predominantly warm climate, was recorded at two beech forests in unusually high elevation of 640 and 730 m. The research substantially completes the current knowledge of the mollusc fauna in the area between Český les Forest and Šumava Mts. in the western Bohemia.
Demonstrating Ethical Leadership in a Virtual World: Accessibility, Community, and Identity
Authors: Olson Nate , McCullough Kallee ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ethics centers were forced to reimagine program delivery. In a tumultuous time with rampant social isolation, the need for ethics education and dialogue was also critical. The authors, members of the directorship team of the Kegley Institute of Ethics (KIE), discuss how KIE met these challenges through organizing over fifty online events during the pandemic, including webinars, pedagogy workshops, ethics bowls, intercollegiate student conversations, colloquia, film viewings, and podcasts. The article describes both the opportunities and challenges that different types of virtual events present and argues that innovation in online programming can help ethics centers show ethical leadership in their communities. As one example, we discuss how online events can both enhance and hinder accessibility for participants. We also describe how online programming presents both barriers and opportunities for community building and can prompt ethics centers to reflect on their identities and missions.
Competitiveness factors of Serbian tourism
Authors: Petković Goran , Pindžo Renata , Bradić-Martinović Aleksandra
Published: March 2022

According to the concept of authenticity, competitiveness of a tourist destination depends on the complex interdependence of numerous destination components and their interaction with the visitors of the destination. The global standard for measuring competitiveness of countries is the TTC Index of the World Economic Forum, the ranking list where Serbia holds a relatively weak position. This position has been cyclically improving and deteriorating, and opposite trends of indicators within individual sub-indices also contribute to this, suggesting that activities are uncoordinated. The Tourism Development Strategy of Serbia (TDS), as an umbrella document to coordinate efforts to develop and improve the competitiveness of Serbian tourism, identifies priority products and destinations in Serbia. Such established priorities should contribute both to the coordination among key stakeholders and, consequently, to competitiveness in the international market. The analysis conducted in this paper indicates that TDS has only partially identified the products and destinations chosen by visitors.
An approach of probability based multi-objective optimization considering robustness for material engineering
Authors: Zheng Maosheng , Teng Haipeng , Wang Yi
Published: March 2022

Introduction/purpose: The newly developed probability-based multi - objective optimization (MOO) has introduced a novel concept of preferable probability to represent a preferability degree of a candidate in optimization in order to overcome the inherent shortcomings of subjective and "additive" factors in the previous MOO methods. In this paper, the new method is extended to include robust optimization for material engineering. Furthermore, energy consumption in a melting process with orthogonal array design and the robust optimization of four different process schemes in machining an electric globe valve body are taken as examples. Methods: The arithmetic mean value of each performance utility indicator of the candidate contributes to one part of the partial preferable probability, while the deviation of each performance utility indicator from its arithmetic mean value of the candidate contributes to the other part of the partial preferable probability quantitatively. Furthermore, following the procedures of the newly developed probability-based multi-objective optimization (PMOO), the total preferable probability of a candidate is obtained, which thus transfers a multi-objective optimization problem into a single objective optimization problem. Results: The optimal control factors of lower electric energy consumption with robustness are bundled steel, loose steel, and uncleaned steel of 12.5%, 50% and 37.5% by weight, respectively, in this steel melting process. This case is closely followed by the scenario of 50 wt% bundled steel, 50 wt% loose steel, and 0 wt% uncleaned steel. The robust optimization of four different process schemes for machining an electric globe valve body is scheme No. 1. Conclusion: The extension of probability-based multi-objective optimization while considering robustness is successful, which can be easily used to deal with the optimal problem with dispersion of data to get objectively an optimal result with robustness in material engineering. The extension of probability-based multi-objective optimization while considering robustness will be beneficial to relevant research and process optimization.
Melasma: tratamento e suas implicações estéticas
Authors: Santana Priscila Morais
Published: March 2022

O melasma se caracteriza em uma disfunção estética havendo a necessidade de procurar auxílio de profissionais da saúde estética para o diagnóstico correto e tratamento adequado. Melasma é ocasionada a partir do aumento da melanina na pele, as implicações estéticas se manifestam por manchas escuras ou acastanhadas na região frontal da face. Nesse contexto o estudo será a partir da seguinte questão norteadora: quais os tratamentos utilizados no tratamento do melasma e suas implicações estéticas? O objetivo geral desse estudo é realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o tratamento e as implicações estéticas provocadas pelo melasma. Mediante o exposto, justifica-se a importância de conhecer os aspectos referentes ao Melasma: Tratamentos e suas implicações estéticas, para isso trata-se de uma revisão de literatura, realizada a partir da busca de dados em fontes secundarias como sítios, artigos científicos entre outros. A pele está disposta a danos resultantes do meio externo que resulta em afecções como o melasma e para isso, existem tratamentos estéticos que promovem efeitos positivos promovendo a qualidade de vida das pessoas. O tratamento do melasma pode ser realizado de forma tópico ou oral, a partir de procedimentos que induzem a descamação e removem a cada superficial da pele, promovendo uma textura mais suave e homogênea permitindo a produção de colágeno e elastina com menos riscos de efeitos colaterais. É valido ressaltar que embora existam vários protocolos de tratamento do melasma a eficiência do tratamento é limitada em alguns casos se o paciente não manter uma forma sistemática de prevenção acontece a reincidência do mesmo. O melasma pode ser prevenido evitando a exposição solar, nos horários adequados e uso de filtros solares de amplo espectro para radiação UVA e UVB, com fator de proteção solar (FPS) 30 ou mais (MASCENA, 2016).
Primarni retroperitonealni sarkomi. Preživetje bolnikov, zdravljenih na Onkološkem inštitutu Ljubljana, referenčnem centru za sarkome.
Authors: Novak Marko , Bohanec Naja , Perhavec Andraž , Kramer Sonja , Eržen Darja
Published: March 2022

Izhodišča: Retroperitonealni sarkomi so izredno redki, zato naj zdravljenje bolnikov z retroperitonealnimi sarkomi poteka v referenčnem centru. Temeljno zdravljenje je kirurško. Priporočen tip operacije je kompartment resekcija.

Metode: Onkološki inštitut Ljubljana je edini referenčni center za sarkome v Sloveniji. V raziskavo so bili vključeni bolniki s primarnim lokaliziranim retroperitonealnim sarkomom, zdravljeni pri nas v obdobju od januarja 1999 do junija 2020. Opredelili smo preživetje, kakovost kirurškega zdravljenja in zaplete.

Rezultati: Vključenih je bilo 100 bolnikov. Srednja starost je bila 62 let. Srednja velikost tumorja je bila 21,5 cm. Najpogostejši histološki podtip je bil dediferenciran liposarkom (39 %). Kompartment resekcija je bila opravljena v 24 %, multivisceralna resekcija pa v 25 %. Zaplete po posegu je imelo po klasifikaciji Clavien-Dindo stopnje 3a ali višje 29 % bolnikov, pri 58,6 % (17/29) je bila potrebna ponovna operacija. Zgodnja in pozna smrtnost po operaciji sta bili 3 % in 5 %. Srednji čas sledenja je bil 55,1 mesecev. 5-letno celokupno preživetje je bilo 67,8 %. Kumulativna verjetnost za lokalno ponovitev bolezni po 5 letih je bila 16,9 %, za oddaljene zasevke pa 21,4 %. Ocena ASA in izguba krvi med operacijo sta bila neodvisna napovedna dejavnika celokupnega preživetja.

Zaključek: Retroperitonealni sarkomi sodijo med redke vrste raka. Naši rezultati zdravljenja bolnikov z retroperitonealnimi sarkomi so zelo dobri in primerljivi z rezultati drugih referenčnih centrov iz tujine. Potrjujejo tudi ključno vlogo referenčnega centra pri obravnavi in zdravljenju teh bolnikov.