bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can the Sick Speak? Global Health Governance and Health Subalternity
Authors: Aloudat Tammam
Published: September 2022

Global Health Governance (GHG) uses a set of financial, normative, and epistemic arguments to retain and amplify its influence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the GHG regime used its own successes and failures to prescribe more of itself while demanding further resources. However, the consistent failures of this form governance and its appeasement to a dominant neoliberal ideology lead to the following question: Is the global health governance regime failing at its goal of improving health or succeeding at other political and ideological goals that necessitate such failures? Using concepts and ideas from social theory and post-colonial studies; I examine the definitions, epistemic basis, and drivers of GHG and propose certain conditions for the legitimacy of a global health governance system. Examining historical and current cases, I find that the GHG regime currently fails to fulfil such conditions of legitimacy and instead creates spaces that limit rather than help many populations it purports to serve. Those spaces of sickness confine people and reduce them into a state of health subalternity. In being health subalterns, people’s voices are neither sought nor heard in formulating the policies that determine their health. Finally, I argue that research and policymaking on global health should not be confined to the current accepted frameworks that assumes legitimacy and benevolence of GHG, and propose steps to establish an alternative, emancipatory model of understanding and governing global health.
Digital Inclusive Finance, Agricultural Industrial Structure Optimization and Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity
Authors: Hong Mingyong , Tian Mengjie , Wang Ji
Published: September 2022

Based on the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index and 2011–2018 provincial panel data, this paper discusses the mechanism of digital financial inclusion on agricultural green total factor productivity from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. The result shows that digital financial inclusion can significantly increase China’s agricultural green total factor productivity, and the optimization of the agricultural industry structure can bring a significant “structural growth effect”. A total of 8.42% of the positive effects of digital financial inclusion on agricultural green total factor productivity are realized through the intermediary effect of agricultural industrial structure optimization. Through further research, it is found that digital financial inclusion has regional heterogeneity in the improvement of agricultural green total factor productivity. At the same time, digital financial inclusion of different dimensions will also have a differential impact on the improvement of agricultural green total factor productivity. In order to promote the green development of agriculture, it is necessary to further improve the financial development environment, optimize the structure of the agricultural industry, and formulate development policies for digital inclusive finance in accordance with local conditions.
Environmental Adaptations for Achieving Sustainable Regeneration: A Conceptual Design Analysis on Built Heritage Fujian Tulous
Authors: Sun Yuan , Wang Zhu , Zheng Yuan
Published: September 2022

Environmental adaptation is essential for maintaining a building’s indoor environmental quality and performance. This paper is focused on heritage regeneration research of the sustainable paradigm of Fujian Tulous in China. These earthen dwellings were built hundreds of years ago and were proven to be conventional green buildings today. However, few researchers have clarified or specified regenerative approaches for Tulous in response to realistic demands and sustainable concerns. Our study surveyed 10 non-world-heritage Tulou cases in Nanjing County, Fujian Province, China. Environmental adaptation in the Tulou archetype was analysed through an intensive review and field investigation to explain how they interacted with local climatic conditions. This article analysed the green effects of building components on five passive design strategies—thermal comfort, solar shading, natural lighting, ventilation, and waterproofing—and then proposed conceptual design strategies based on three aspects: reshaping building envelopes, reorganising spatial layouts, and using innovative construction materials and techniques. The conclusions indicated that, to realise the sustainable generation goals of non-world-heritage Tulous, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural issues have to be considered, among which environmental adaptation should be a primary approach.
Quality of Education and Science in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals—From Millennium Goals to Agenda 2030: Factors of Innovation Activity and Socio-Economic Impact
Authors: Artyukhov Artem , Volk Iurii , Surowiec Agnieszka , Skrzypek-Ahmed Sylwia , Bliumska-Danko Kseniia , Dluhopolskyi Oleksandr , Shablystyi Volodymyr
Published: September 2022

The relevance of the analysis of Sustainable Development Goals is based on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The purpose of the study is to create a model of management/regulation of the quality of education and scientific research systems based on Sustainable Development Goals. The data of the ratings that reflect certain tasks of the Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to educational and scientific activities, are analyzed. The methodology of calculating the index of the success of realization of separate purposes of sustainable development is used. Bibliometric analysis as a research tool is used to create a quality of education management model. The example of the roadmap for achieving SDGs within the relationship chain “quality of education and science + partnership and networks–innovation–socio-economic impact–sustainable development goals” is provided. The suggested methodology for determining the index of success in achieving Sustainable Development Goals includes managing education systems, implementing scientific research, and managing/regulating the economy on micro-(university), meso-(regional), and macro-(national) levels. The tool in this case is a strategy for achieving KPIs, which can be fundamentally implemented in the form of a roadmap, with detailing of its elements using other tools. The “management/regulation” stage of the process of achieving Sustainable Development Goals is concretized by a mind map.
A Conceptual Framework of Public Participation Utilization for Sustainable Urban Planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bouregh Adel Saleh
Published: September 2022

There is a growing concern for people to contribute to future developments in shaping their surroundings (town, community, and region) and, thus, their quality of life. Therefore, the study aims to propose a framework of public-participation exploitation for sustainable urban planning in Saudi Arabia. The framework proposed was developed based on analyzing the literature review and experts’ opinions through the Delphi technique. The framework covers planning levels and stages, participation methods, sustainability pillars, and the use of information communication technology (ICT). A proposed PP framework is produced, which is comprehensive, yet tailored for the urban-planning context of Saudi Arabia. The framework assists the management of PP properly. It addresses several practical elements that involve the citizens’ awareness regarding PP in the planning process, along with the accessibility of the populace to urban-planning issues. The framework shows that there is no single participatory technique that can satisfy all planning processes. The framework recognizes the importance of integrating sustainability into urban plans. It is concluded that the current framework helps to manage public participation properly and introduces the participants in the planning process, which eventually affects the urban planning of cities in Saudi Arabia.
Water Quality Index Prediction for Improvement of Treatment Processes on Drinking Water Treatment Plant
Authors: Volf Goran , Sušanj Čule Ivana , Žic Elvis , Zorko Sonja
Published: September 2022

In order to improve the treatment processes of the drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) located near the Butoniga reservoir in Istria (Croatia), a prediction of the water quality index (WQI) was done. Based on parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, KMnO4, NH4, Mn, Al and Fe, the calculation of WQI was conducted, while for the WQI prediction models, along with the mentioned parameters, O2, TOC and UV254 were additionally used. Four models were built to predict WQI with a time step of one, five, ten, and fifteen days in advance, in order to improve treatment processes of the DWTP regarding the changes in raw water quality in the Butoniga reservoir. Therefore, obtained models can help in the optimization of treatment processes, which depend on the quality of raw water, and overall, in the sustainability of the treatment plant. Results showed that the obtained correlation coefficients for all models are relatively high and, as expected, decrease as the number of prediction days increases; conversely, the number of rules, and related linear equations, depends on the parameters set in the WEKA modelling software, which are set to default settings which give the highest values of correlation coefficient (R) for each model and the optimal number of rules. In addition, all models have high accuracy compared to the measured data, with a good prediction of the peak values. Therefore, the obtained models, through the prediction of WQI, can help to manage the treatment processes of the DWTP, which depend on the quality of raw water in the Butoniga reservoir.
Study on Permeability Characteristics of Gas Bearing Coal under Cyclic Load
Authors: Xue Junhua , Li Kehan , Shi Yu
Published: September 2022

With the depletion of shallow coal mine resources, the mining depth of coal mines is deepening year by year, therefore, gas explosion and other disasters occur from time to time. Gas drainage is the main measure to prevent gas disasters, and the permeability of coal is one of the main factors affecting gas drainage. In order to explore the seepage characteristics of coal under different confining pressure loading and unloading conditions and different gas pressure, the seepage test of raw coal samples was carried out by using the coal rock triaxial loading seepage test device. The results show that the permeability of coal samples decreases with the increase of confining pressure in the loading stage, and increases with the unloading of confining pressure in the unloading stage; Through calculation, it is found that the permeability loss of coal body in the loading stage decreases with the increase of loading times, and during unloading, this value also decreases with the increase of unloading times, and reaches the maximum value at the first loading and unloading. With the increase of loading and unloading cycles, the permeability loss of coal samples decreases, and the first loading and unloading is the main stage of permeability loss of coal samples. At the same time, it is found that when the confining pressure increases, the permeability loss of coal samples decreases, and the initial permeability of coal samples maintains a good linear growth relationship with the increase of gas pressure.
Study on Optimization of Tunnel Ventilation Flow Field in Long Tunnel Based on CFD Computer Simulation Technology
Authors: Yang Song , Ai Zubin , Zhang Chao , Dong Shun , Ouyang Xun , Liu Rong , Zhang Ping
Published: September 2022

With the rapid development of tunnel construction, more and more long tunnels are being designed and built. In contrast to ordinary tunnels, long tunnels are characterized by large construction distances and difficult ventilation. In this study, gallery ventilation systems in the construction of long tunnels were studied. Combined with the CFD software FLUENT, a three-dimensional model of tunnel ventilation of a double tunnel was established, and a numerical simulation analysis of the ventilation flow field was carried out and optimized the flow field of gallery ventilation. We found that the main circulation air flow of gallery ventilation was formed by the jet fan, which was installed near the air flow-in tunnel. We also determined the main factors that affect the ventilation effect in gallery ventilation, including the wind wall formed by the high-speed airflow at the cross-aisle and found that the draft fan in front of the cross-aisle could eliminate the wind wall and improve the ventilation effect. The influence of the location and type of the draft fan on the elimination of air flow structure was studied, and the best fan layout scheme suitable for the site was determined. The ventilation scheme of the tunnel was optimized.
Predictive Analysis and Wine-Grapes Disease Risk Assessment Based on Atmospheric Parameters and Precision Agriculture Platform
Authors: Marcu Ioana , Drăgulinescu Ana-Maria , Oprea Cristina , Suciu George , Bălăceanu Cristina
Published: September 2022

In the precision viticulture domain, data recorded by monitoring devices are large-scale processed to improve solutions for grapes’ quality and global production and to offer various recommendations to achieve these goals. Soil-related parameters (soil moisture, structure, etc.) and atmospheric parameters (precipitation, cumulative amount of heat) may facilitate crop diseases occurrence; thus, following predictive analysis, their estimation in vineyards can offer an early-stage warning for farmers and, therefore, suggestions for their prevention and treatment are of particular importance. Using remote sensing devices (e.g., satellites, unmanned vehicles) and proximal sensing methods (e.g., wireless sensor networks (WSNs)), we developed an efficient precision agriculture telemetry platform to provide reliable assessments of atmospheric phenomena periodicity and crop diseases estimation in a vineyard near Bucharest, Romania. The novelty of the materials and methods of this work relies on providing comprehensive preliminary references about monitored parameters to enable efficient, sustainable agriculture. Comparative analyses for two consecutive years illustrate an excellent correlation between cumulative and daily heat, precipitation quantity, and daily evapotranspiration (ET). In addition, the platform proved viable for wine-grapes disease estimation (powdery mildew, grape bunch rot, and grape downy mildew) and treatment recommendations based on the elaborated phenological calendar. Our results, together with continuous monitoring for the upcoming years, may be used as a reference to perform productive, sustainable smart agriculture in terms of yield and crop quality in Romania. In the Conclusion section, we show that farmers and personnel from cooperatives can use this information to make assessments based on the correlation of the available data to avoid critical damage to the wine-grape.
The Nexus between Employee Engagement and Performance Management Processes—Fruška Gora National Park (Serbia) Case Study
Authors: Vujko Aleksandra , Vuković Darko , Demirović Bajrami Dunja , Zečević Stanojević Olgica , Zečević Leposava
Published: September 2022

This study examines the nexus between employee engagement and the performance management process using the example of Fruška Gora National Park, Serbia. The main scientific problem is to refocus awareness on performance management systems and to investigate methods to upgrade employee engagement. The paper starts with the main hypothesis that employee engagement is a main factor for increasing employee efficiency. The practical tasks of this study are to define the relationship between employee engagement and performance management processes, and to find out what creates employee engagement. Since national parks have a lot of specifics as an organization, we proposed that their employee engagement is much more pronounced. The research was carried out on 103 employees of the Fruška Gora National Park, Serbia. Our findings indicate that employee engagement is directly proportional to the feeling of belonging to the company; further, if employees feel that a superior appreciates their work and effort, this will also increase employee engagement. Finally, a successful performance management process will positively impact employee engagement.
Is Only the Dedicated Lane for Automated Vehicles Essential in the Future? The Dedicated Lanes Optimal Operating System Evaluation
Authors: Kang Minhee , Im I-jeong , Song Jaein , Hwang Keeyeon
Published: September 2022

As new mobility called automated vehicles (AVs) appears on the road, positive effects are expected, but in fact, unexpected adverse effects may arise due to the mixed traffic situation with human-driven vehicles (HVs). Prior to the commercialization of AVs, a preliminary review and preventive measures are required, and among them, the interaction between the existing vehicle and the new mobility and the interaction with the infrastructure must be considered. Therefore, we propose (i) the positive–negative effect of introducing AVs in a mixed traffic situation and (ii) the optimal operation plan for the dedicated lane for AVs. First, the effect of introducing AVs considering the interaction between vehicles in the mixed traffic situation showed mostly positive such as speed increase, delay time reduction, and capacity increase. However, in a 75% Market Penetration Rate (MPR) environment of all levels of Service (LOS), the effect was diminished compared to the previous MPR. This is contemplated to be the result of a conflict caused by the operation of some HVs (including heavy vehicles) behavior as obstacles in the situation where most of the vehicles on the road are AVs. Based on the previous result, we deployed the dedicated lane to resolve the negative effect in the 75% MPR environment and proposed an optimal operation strategy for the AVs dedicated lane from the perspective of operational efficiency for a more feasible operation. Given the 75% MPR, the Mixed-Use operation strategy of High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) and AVs is ascertained as the most suitable operation strategy. This implies that even in the era of AVs, the influence of other vehicles (e.g., heavy vehicles, other mobility) must be considered. This study is significant by considering the negative effects of the introduction of AVs and presenting an optimal operation strategy for dedicated lanes, and it can expect to be used as a new strategy as part of the Free/Expressway Traffic Management System (FTMS) applicable in the era of autonomous driving.
Anti-Symmetric Medium Chirality Leading to Symmetric Field Helicity in Response to a Pair of Circularly Polarized Plane Waves in Counter-Propagating Configuration
Authors: Lee Hyoung-In
Published: September 2022

We examine how a chiral medium responds to a pair of plane waves of circular polarizations. To this goal, we assume the chiral medium to be spatially homogeneous for simplicity. By assuming the medium to be a lossless, we provide analytic formulas of key bilinear parameters such as the pair of electromagnetic and reactive Poynting vectors in addition to the pair of electromagnetic and reactive helicities. By examining two obliquely colliding plane waves, we learned that most of those key parameters are asymmetric with respect to the medium chirality. Only for a counter-propagating pair, some of those key parameters are found to exhibit symmetry with respect to the medium chirality. We will discuss the implications of those asymmetries and symmetries from the viewpoints of typical applications in optics and physics.
Small Private Exponent Attacks on RSA Using Continued Fractions and Multicore Systems
Authors: Bahig Hatem M. , Nassr Dieaa I. , Mahdi Mohammed A. , Bahig Hazem M.
Published: September 2022

The RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) asymmetric-key cryptosystem is widely used for encryptions and digital signatures. Let (n,e) be the RSA public key and d be the corresponding private key (or private exponent). One of the attacks on RSA is to find the private key d using continued fractions when d is small. In this paper, we present a new technique to improve a small private exponent attack on RSA using continued fractions and multicore systems. The idea of the proposed technique is to find an interval that contains ϕ(n), and then propose a method to generate different points in the interval that can be used by continued fraction and multicore systems to recover the private key, where ϕ is Euler’s totient function. The practical results of three small private exponent attacks on RSA show that we extended the previous bound of the private key that is discovered by continued fractions. When n is 1024 bits, we used 20 cores to extend the bound of d by 0.016 for de Weger, Maitra-Sarkar, and Nassr et al. attacks in average times 7.67 h, 2.7 h, and 44 min, respectively.
An Offset-Boostable Chaotic Oscillator with Broken Symmetry
Authors: Huang Lili , Zhang Xin , Zang Hongyan , Lei Tengfei , Fu Haiyan
Published: September 2022

A new 3D offset-boostable symmetric system is proposed by an absolute value function introduced. The system seems to be more fragile and easier to the state of broken symmetry. Coexisting symmetric pairs of attractors get closer and closer, and finally get emerged together. Basins of attraction show how these coexisting attractors are arranged in phase space. All these coexisting attractors can be easily offset boosted in phase space by a single constant when the initial condition is revised accordingly. PSpice simulations prove all the phenomena.
Interval Estimation for the Two-Parameter Exponential Distribution Based on the Upper Record Values
Authors: Wu Shu-Fei
Published: September 2022

Using the data for upper record values, the interval estimation for the scale parameter of two-parameter exponential distribution is presented. In addition, two methods for the joint confidence region of two parameters are proposed. In terms of confidence region area, the simulation comparison of two methods of the confidence region is performed in this paper. The criterion of minimum confidence region area is used to obtain the optimal method of the confidence region. To illustrate our proposed interval estimation methods, one biometrical example is used and the corresponding confidence interval length and confidence region area are also calculated. Our research topic is related to the asymmetrical probability distributions and applications across disciplines.
Clinical and Demographic Factors Influencing the Asymmetry of Gait in Lower-Limb Prosthetic Users
Authors: Dąbrowski Mikołaj , Łysakowska Katarzyna , Gramala Adam , Kubaszewski Łukasz
Published: September 2022

(1) Background: A lower limb prosthesis replaces a lost body part with a differential representation of gait function and its symmetry. Many physical, personal, and specific factors in amputees influence gait asymmetry. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the asymmetry of gait in amputated patients. (2) Methods: The study group consisted of 12 people. Gait quality was assessed using the MoCap OptiTrack® Motion Capture System and the results were correlated with demographic factors (age, gender), morphological features (height, weight), amputation-related factors (cause and side of amputation, prosthesis time, and prosthesis fixation), and ailment pain. The control group consisted of 12 people. (3) Results: In the study group, a positive correlation between the mean walking speed and height in the study group was demonstrated, as well as a positive correlation between the difference in ROM and height, and a negative correlation between the mean walking speed and age. A negative correlation between the difference in ROM and age was found in both groups. A positive correlation was found between the width of the support and the weight in the control group. No other statistical relationship with the parameters describing gait asymmetry was found. (4) Conclusions: Statistical analysis showed that mean walking speed and ROM difference in the study group were positively related to height and negatively to age. No other statistical relationship with the parameters describing gait asymmetry was found.
Timelike Circular Surfaces and Singularities in Minkowski 3-Space
Authors: Li Yanlin , Mofarreh Fatemah , Abdel-Baky Rashad A.
Published: September 2022

The present paper is focused on time-like circular surfaces and singularities in Minkowski 3-space. The timelike circular surface with a constant radius could be swept out by moving a Lorentzian circle with its center while following a non-lightlike curve called the spine curve. In the present study, we have parameterized timelike circular surfaces and examined their geometric properties, such as singularities and striction curves, corresponding with those of ruled surfaces. After that, a different kind of timelike circular surface was determined and named the timelike roller coaster surface. Meanwhile, we support the results of this work with some examples.
Evaluation and System Coupling of Beautiful Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Construction Based on Point of Interest Data
Authors: Wei Hejie , Yang Yueyuan , Han Qing , Li Ling , Huang Junchang , Liu Mengxue , Chen Weiqiang
Published: September 2022

The unique high-frigid environment and poor natural conditions of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) have limited sustainable economic and social development. The construction of the beautiful QTP is a concrete implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. However, identifying the progress and system coupling relationships of beautiful QTP construction entails some barriers due to data and methodological issues. To evaluate beautiful QTP construction and achieve a coordinated development regime, this paper employs an analytic hierarchy process and coupling model to quantify the comprehensive index and the coupling relationships of five subsystems (i.e., ecological environment, cultural inheritance, social harmony, industrial development, and institutional perfection) based on point of interest (POI) data, which are highly accurate, containing quantity and location information. Meanwhile, spatial autocorrelation analysis is conducted on the comprehensive index and coupling coordination degree for identifying the spatial clustering characteristics of the two. Results show that the progress of the beautiful QTP construction in most counties are under a very low or low level. For the system coupling perspective, 86% of counties are under the coupling stage indicating a strong interaction among the subsystems. However, coordination is out of harmony in most counties. For the spatial clustering characteristics, the comprehensive index and the system coupling relationships of beautiful QTP construction show a positive spatial correlation, indicating an aggregation effect. The aggregation is mostly “low–low” and “high–high” aggregation indicating the spatial differences and regional imbalances. The government should adopt measures to make the five subsystems of beautiful QTP construction more synergistic to achieve the sustainable development of the QTP. Our study formed a sample case of special areas where statistical data are scarce while constructing a technical framework of Beautiful China construction that is applicable to these areas. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for improving the beautiful QTP or other similar areas of construction.
Recent Advances on Biological Activities and Structural Modifications of Dehydroabietic Acid
Authors: Hao Meng , Xu Jianwei , Wen Houpeng , Du Jiawei , Zhang Shaoyong , Lv Min , Xu Hui
Published: September 2022

Dehydroabietic acid is a tricyclic diterpenoid resin acid isolated from rosin. Dehydroabietic acid and its derivatives showed lots of medical and agricultural bioactivities, such as anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antiulcer, insecticidal, and herbicidal activities. This review summarized the research advances on the structural modification and total synthesis of dehydroabietic acid and its derivatives from 2015 to 2021, and analyzed the biotransformation and structure-activity relationships in order to provide a reference for the development and utilization of dehydroabietic acid and its derivatives as drugs and pesticides.
Delays in TB Diagnosis and Treatment Initiation in Burkina Faso during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Diallo Adama , Combary Adjima , Veronese Vanessa , Dahourou Désiré Lucien , Ouédraogo Salifou , Traoré Isidore Tiandiogo , Merle Corinne Simone
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted TB services, particularly in low resource settings. In Burkina Faso, a cross-sectional ‘before and after’ study was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on access to TB services. Data was collected in two phases (Phase 1: December 2017–March 2018, and 2: October–December 2020) to estimate and compare various patient and system delays among TB patients before and during COVID-19 and explore changes in treatment seeking behaviors and practices. 331 TB patients were recruited across the two phases. A significant increase in median time between first symptom and contact with TB service (45 days vs. 26 days; p < 0.01) and decrease in median time between first contact and diagnosis, and treatment initiation, respectively, during COVID-19 compared to before. Fewer patients reported using public health centers and more patients reporting using private facilities as the point of first contact following TB symptom onset during the COVID-19 period compared to before. These findings suggest that COVID-19 has created barriers to TB service access and health seeking among symptomatic individuals, yet also led to some efficiencies in TB diagnostic and treatment services. Our findings can be help target efforts along specific points of the TB patient pathway to minimize the overall disruption of COVID-19 and future public health emergencies on TB control in Burkina Faso.
Clinical Course and Outcomes among COVID-19 Patients at the Hospitel in Bangkok: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Bruminhent Jackrapong , Kaewsanga Yosapan , Jiraaumpornpat Werapoj , Arnuntasupakul Vanlapa , Suwatanapongched Thitiporn , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin
Published: September 2022

A hospitel is a hotel that has been designated as an extension of the healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in resource-limited settings. However, the clinical course and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to this unique type of facility have never been studied. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of adult patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to a single hospitel in Bangkok, Thailand. Risk factors with respect to chest X-ray progression and clinical progression were analyzed using a logistic regression. A total of 514 patients were recruited, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 35.6 (13.4) years, and 58.6% were women. Patients were admitted after a median (interquartile range) of 3 (2–6) days of illness and were classified with mild (12.3%), moderate (86.6%), and severe (1.1%) conditions. Favipiravir and corticosteroids were prescribed in 26.3% and 14.9% of patients, respectively. Chest X-ray progression was found in 7.6% of patients, and hospital transfer occurred in 2.9%, with no deaths. Favipiravir use (odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–7.5, p = 0.005), nausea/vomiting after admission (OR 32.3, 95% CI 1.5–700.8, p = 0.03), and higher oxygen saturation on admission (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.22–3.23, p = 0.005) were factors associated with chest X-ray progression. Additionally, an oxygen requirement on admission was an independent risk factor for hospital transfer (OR 904, 95% CI 113–7242, p < 0.001). In a setting where the hospitel has been proposed as an extension facility for patients with relatively non-severe COVID-19, most patients could achieve a favorable clinical outcome. However, patients who require oxygen supplementation should be closely monitored for disease progression and promptly transferred to a hospital if necessary.
Prevalence and Molecular Identification of Schistosoma haematobium among Children in Lusaka and Siavonga Districts, Zambia
Authors: Tembo Rabecca , Muleya Walter , Yabe John , Kainga Henson , Nalubamba King S. , Zulu Mildred , Mwaba Florence , Saad Shereen Ahmed , Kamwela Moses , Mukubesa Andrew N. , Monde Ngula , Kallu Simegnew Adugna , Mbewe Natalia , Phiri Andrew M.
Published: September 2022

Schistosomiasis remains a public health concern in Zambia. Urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium is the most widely distributed infection. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis and identify the strain of S. haematobium among children in the Siavonga and Lusaka districts in Zambia. Urine samples were collected from 421 primary school children and S. haematobium eggs were examined under light microscopy. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics and the potential risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis. DNA of the parasite eggs was extracted from urine samples and the internal transcribed spacer gene was amplified, sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 9.7% (41/421) (95% CI: 7.16–13.08), male participants made up 6.2% (26/232) (95% CI: 4.15–9.03), having a higher burden of disease than female participants who made up 3.5% (15/421) (95% CI: 2.01–5.94). The age group of 11–15 years had the highest overall prevalence of 8.3% (35/421) (5.94–11.48). Participants that did not go fishing were 0.008 times less likely to be positive for schistosomiasis while participants whose urine was blood-tinged or cloudy on physical examination and those that lived close to water bodies were 9.98 and 11.66 times more likely to test positive for schistosomiasis, respectively. A phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that S. haematobium isolates were closely related to pure S. haematobium from Zimbabwe and hybrids of S. haematobium × S. bovis from Benin, Senegal and Malawi. The current study shows that urinary schistosomiasis is endemic in the study areas and is associated with water contact, and S. haematobium isolated is closely related to hybrids of S. bovis × S. haematobium strain, indicating the zoonotic potential of this parasite.
Mortality in Four Waves of COVID-19 Is Differently Associated with Healthcare Capacities Affected by Economic Disparities
Authors: Yao Lan , Graff J. Carolyn , Aleya Lotfi , Ma Jiamin , Cao Yanhong , Wei Wei , Sun Shuqiu , Wang Congyi , Jiao Yan , Gu Weikuan , Wang Gang , Sun Dianjun
Published: September 2022

Background: The greatest challenges are imposed on the overall capacity of disease management when the cases reach the maximum in each wave of the pandemic. Methods: The cases and deaths for the four waves of COVID-19 in 119 countries and regions (CRs) were collected. We compared the mortality across CRs where populations experience different economic and healthcare disparities. Findings: Among 119 CRs, 117, 112, 111, and 55 have experienced 1, 2, 3, and 4 waves of COVID-19 disease, respectively. The average mortality rates at the disease turning point were 0.036, 0.019. 0.017, and 0.015 for the waves 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Among 49 potential factors, income level, gross national income (GNI) per capita, and school enrollment are positively correlated with the mortality rates in the first wave, but negatively correlated with the rates of the rest of the waves. Their values for the first wave are 0.253, 0.346 and 0.385, respectively. The r value for waves 2, 3, and 4 are −0.310, −0.293, −0.234; −0.263, −0.284, −0.282; and −0.330, −0.394, −0.048, respectively. In high-income CRs, the mortality rates in waves 2 and 3 were 29% and 28% of that in wave 1; while in upper-middle-income CRs, the rates for waves 2 and 3 were 76% and 79% of that in wave 1. The rates in waves 2 and 3 for lower-middle-income countries were 88% and 89% of that in wave 1, and for low-income countries were 135% and 135%. Furthermore, comparison among the largest case numbers through all waves indicated that the mortalities in upper- and lower-middle-income countries is 65% more than that of the high-income countries. Interpretation: Conclusions from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic do not apply to the following waves. The clinical outcomes in developing countries become worse along with the expansion of the pandemic.
Testing for HIV Increases the Odds of Correct Fetal Ultrasound Result
Authors: Bieńkowski Carlo , Aniszewska Małgorzata , Kowalska Justyna D. , Pokorska-Śpiewak Maria
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Infectious diseases during pregnancy may pose a threat to both mother and the developing fetus. It also creates an opportunity to screen for diseases being widely underdiagnosed among women in Poland, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infections (STI). Therefore, we aimed to assess the number of pregnant women that had not been tested for HIV despite the recommendations. In addition, a comparison of clinical evaluation between HIV-tested and non-tested pregnant women was also performed. Material and methods: Medical records of all consecutive pregnant women, referred to our Infectious Diseases Hospital between September 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Implementation of recommended screening testing towards infectious diseases during pregnancy including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), syphilis, and rubella, were also analyzed. Results: Medical records of 273 women were included in the analysis. The median age was 32 years (interquartile range: 26–33 years). In total 243/273 (89.0%) had been tested for HIV as recommended, and the remaining 30/273 (11.0%) had not been tested. HIV infection was not confirmed in any of the participants. Only one woman within the HIV non-tested group had been correctly tested towards other infections during her pregnancy. The recommended full testing was more likely to be correctly implemented in women who had also been tested for HIV (171/243, 70.4% vs. 1/30, 3.3%, OR 68.9; 95% CI 9.2–515.3, p < 0.00001). Moreover, the correct fetal ultrasound result was more likely to be obtained in women who had been tested for HIV as recommended (234/243, 96.3% vs. 11/30, 36.7%, OR 44.9; 95% CI 16.6–121.8, p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Despite the law regulations, 11% of pregnant women referred to consultations to the infectious diseases center had not been tested for HIV. At the same time, correct fetal ultrasound results are more likely to occur in women tested for HIV according to recommendations. This suggests that a holistic approach to screening, both for communicable and non-communicable diseases, among pregnant women may translate to better pregnancy outcomes.
Quantum Non-Locality and the CMB: What Experiments Say
Authors: Consoli Maurizio , Pluchino Alessandro , Zizzi Paola
Published: September 2022

“Non-locality is most naturally incorporated into a theory in which there is a special frame of reference. One possible candidate for this special frame of reference is the one in which the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is isotropic. However, other than the fact that a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics requires a preferred frame and the CMB provides us with one, there is no readily apparent reason why the two should be linked” (L. Hardy). Starting from this remark, we first argue that, given the present view of the vacuum, the basic tenets of Quantum Field Theory cannot guarantee that Einstein Special Relativity, with no preferred frame, is the physically realized version of relativity. Then, to try to understand the nature of the hypothetical preferred Σ−frame, we consider the so-called ether drift experiments, those precise optical measurements that try to detect, in the laboratory, a small angular dependence of the two-way velocity of light and then to correlate this angular dependence with the direct CMB observations with satellites in space. By considering all experiments performed so far, from Michelson–Morley to the present experiments with optical resonators, and analyzing the small observed residuals in a modern theoretical framework, the long-sought Σ−frame tight to the CMB naturally emerges. Finally, if quantum non-locality reflects some effect propagating at vastly superluminal speed vQI→∞, its ultimate origin could be hidden somewhere in the infinite speed cs→∞ of vacuum density fluctuations.
Hunting Quantum Gravity with Analogs: The Case of High-Energy Particle Physics
Authors: Castorina Paolo , Iorio Alfredo , Satz Helmut
Published: September 2022

In this review, we collect, for the first time, old and new research results, and present future perspectives on how hadron production, in high-energy scattering processes, can experimentally probe fundamental questions of quantum gravity. The key observations that ignited the link between the two arenas are the so-called “color-event horizon” of quantum chromodynamics, and the (de)accelerations involved in such scattering processes. Both phenomena point to the Unruh (and related Hawking)-type effects. After the first pioneering investigations, such research studies continued, including studies of the horizon entropy and other “black-hole thermodynamical” behaviors, which incidentally are also part of the frontier of the analog gravity research itself. It has been stressed that the trait d’union between the two phenomenologies is that in both hadron physics and black hole physics, “thermal” behaviors are more easily understood, not as due to real thermalization processes (sometimes just impossible, given the small number of particles involved), but rather to a stochastic/quantum entanglement nature of such temperatures. Finally, other aspects, such as the self-critical organizations of hadronic matter and of black holes, have been recently investigated. The results of those investigations are also summarized and commented upon here. As a general remark, this research line shows that we can probe quantum gravity theoretical constructions with analog systems that are not confined to only the condensed matter arena.
From Farm to Fork: Streptococcus suis as a Model for the Development of Novel Phage-Based Biocontrol Agents
Authors: Osei Emmanuel Kuffour , Mahony Jennifer , Kenny John G.
Published: September 2022

Bacterial infections of livestock threaten the sustainability of agriculture and public health through production losses and contamination of food products. While prophylactic and therapeutic application of antibiotics has been successful in managing such infections, the evolution and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains along the food chain and in the environment necessitates the development of alternative or adjunct preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. Additionally, the growing consumer preference for “greener” antibiotic-free food products has reinforced the need for novel and safer approaches to controlling bacterial infections. The use of bacteriophages (phages), which can target and kill bacteria, are increasingly considered as a suitable measure to reduce bacterial infections and contamination in the food industry. This review primarily elaborates on the recent veterinary applications of phages and discusses their merits and limitations. Furthermore, using Streptococcus suis as a model, we describe the prevalence of prophages and the anti-viral defence arsenal in the genome of the pathogen as a means to define the genetic building blocks that are available for the (synthetic) development of phage-based treatments. The data and approach described herein may provide a framework for the development of therapeutics against an array of bacterial pathogens.
Infectious Bronchitis Virus: A Comprehensive Multilocus Genomic Analysis to Compare DMV/1639 and QX Strains
Authors: da Silva Ana P. , Jude Rachel , Gallardo Rodrigo A.
Published: September 2022

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a highly variable RNA virus that affects chickens worldwide. Due to its inherited tendency to suffer point mutations and recombination events during viral replication, emergent IBV strains have been linked to nephropathogenic and reproductive disease that are more severe than typical respiratory disease, leading, in some cases, to mortality, severe production losses, and/or unsuccessful vaccination. QX and DMV/1639 strains are examples of the above-mentioned IBV evolutionary pathway and clinical outcome. In this study, our purpose was to systematically compare whole genomes of QX and DMV strains looking at each IBV gene individually. Phylogenetic analyses and amino acid site searches were performed in datasets obtained from GenBank accounting for all IBV genes and using our own relevant sequences as a basis. The QX dataset studied is more genetically diverse than the DMV dataset, partially due to the greater epidemiological diversity within the five QX strains used as a basis compared to the four DMV strains from our study. Historically, QX strains have emerged and spread earlier than DMV strains in Europe and Asia. Consequently, there are more QX sequences deposited in GenBank than DMV strains, assisting in the identification of a larger pool of QX strains. It is likely that a similar evolutionary pattern will be observed among DMV strains as they develop and spread in North America.
Follow-Up of a Cohort of Patients with Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome in a Belgian Family Practice
Authors: Jamoulle Marc , Kazeneza-Mugisha Gisele , Zayane Ayoub
Published: September 2022

Fifty-five patients who suffered from COVID-19, who were still very ill after several months, with extreme fatigue, effort exhaustion, brain fog, anomia, memory disorder, anosmia, dysgeusia, and other multi-systemic health problems have been followed in a family practice setting between May 2021 and July 2022. Data extracted from the medical records of the 55 patients (40 women), mean age 42.4 (12 to 79 years), and a qualitative study of 6 of them using a semi-open-ended questionnaire allowed to highlight the clinical picture described by WHO as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) also known as long COVID. We used brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) in thirty-two patients with a high severity index and a highly impaired functional status, demonstrating vascular encephalopathy in twenty nine patients and supporting the hypothesis of a persistent cerebral vascular flow disorder in post COVID-19 condition. The patients will benefit from the consortium COVID Human Genetic Effort (covidhge.com) to explore the genetic and immunological basis of their problem, as 23/55 cases don’t have immunological certainty of a COVID-19 infection. There is no known verified treatment. Analyzing the data from the first 52 patients, three categories of patients emerged over time: 16 patients made a full recovery after 6–8 months, 15 patients were able to return to life and work after 12–18 months with some sequelae, both groups being considered cured. In the third group, 21 patients are still very ill and unable to resume their work and life after 18 months. The biopsychosocial consequences on patients’ lives are severe and family doctors are left out in the cold. It is necessary to test the reproducibility of this description, conducted on a small number of patients. Nevertheless, identifying, monitoring and supporting these patients is a necessity in family medicine.